Letter to grandfather prompts professor's venture to Africa

Nearly 18 years after his death, the reach of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's first full-time evangelism professor C.E. Autrey continues.

In 2008, a letter addressed to Autrey made its way from Nigeria to Southwestern Seminary and was forwarded to Autrey's grandson, Denny Autrey, dean and professor of pastoral ministries at the seminary's Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston.

The letter -- a plea for help addressed to his grandfather -- prompted Denny Autrey to respond by venturing to Africa this summer.

"A need for help," the author of the letter, an Anglican theology student, wrote as a heading to his letter.

"Thanks be to God almighty," the student wrote to the late professor, "for the gift and opportunity given to you for opening the eyes of many towards the understanding of the Scriptures, mostly to seminarians and individuals who are seeking to know the facts of the written word of God."To read more, click here.