Howard University is known for educating prominent people like Thurgood Marshall, Toni Morrison, and Sean “Puffy” Combs. Now, one D.C. area church is ensuring that this tradition continues.

Alfred Street Baptist Church, located in Alexandria, Va., recently donated $100,000 to Howard to cover the tuition and outstanding fees of 34 graduating seniors. The large donation stems from a vision the church says the Lord gave it a few years back.

“About two or three years ago, the Lord gave us a vision for a project called Hidden Halos,” explained Senior pastor Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley. “[it] is our realization that whenever you meet strangers, they’re God’s hidden angels.”  

This year, the church initiated Seek 2019 where it committed itself to a month-long physical, social media and financial fast for the month of January.  During this month of fasting, the 8,000-member church also raised the funds for the donation at the request of church leadership.

“This year, as our fasting ended, we had asked members to make a sacrificial offering that we promised would go out the door of our church,”  Wesley stated. The church kept its promise by investing in those it believes will change the world.

“We decided to come to Howard University to find some students who are about to change the world but have some financial concerns and let them know we’re going to take care of it for them,” said Wesley.

Alfred Street, which will celebrate its 216th Anniversary this year, has a long tradition of making significant contributions in areas like education. Each year, it makes a $25,000 donation to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) during its annual HBCU Sunday service.

Howard President Wayne A.I. Frederick expressed the university’s deep gratitude for the gift, explaining what a blessing it will be for the students.

“The gift of $100,000 from Alfred Street Baptist Church to help our students pay off their financial obligations and make ends meet just before they graduate is truly a blessing,” Frederick stated. “Their generosity is a reminder of how one person’s selfless act of kindness can be multiplied and have a profound impact on the lives of others.”

For Howard student Inestin Dante Petit-Homme, who will have her tuition balanced covered, the church’s gift is another reminder of God’s blessings in her life.

“I know we’re all God’s children, but I feel like He’s blessing me a lot right now.”

 

(Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)