Storm-Damaged Tenn. University Insured but Page Asks for Donations

Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page is asking churches to give money to Jackson, Tennessee’s Union University to help rebuild its campus after a powerful tornado caused more than $40 million in damages earlier this month.

Page said he was a “a little shell-shocked” on Wednesday after touring the damage at the small Southern Baptist university.

Page said that while insurance will cover much of the damages caused by the Feb. 5 tornado, Union will need about $20 million immediately for the rebuilding process because of lost revenue from student housing and other programs.

Spokesman Tim Ellsworth said the university already has received $3.5 million in donations, mostly from Southern Baptist churches.

Information from: The Jackson Sun, http://www.jacksonsun.com