Fruitland honors three with alumni awards

Fruitland Baptist Bible College President David Horton recognized three individuals with the school's annual alumni awards. Pictured (left to right) are Paul Pruitt, Don Holder, Horton and Elinore Reuss of Forest City. Contributed photo.

Fruitland Baptist Bible College (FBBC) in Hendersonville honored three individuals with the school's 2023 alumni awards during a breakfast for alumni and friends on Tuesday, Nov. 7, held in conjunction with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina's annual meeting in Greensboro.

Fruitland President David Horton presented both Don Holder and Paul Pruitt with the Alumnus of the Year Award.

Horton also presented the Advancing Fruitland Award to Elinore Reuss of Forest City, The Advancing Fruitland Award is given to an individual or church who has significantly helped the college move forward in a financial way.

Holder and Pruitt both currently lead addiction recovery ministries in North Carolina. Horton said many of the individuals served by the ministries that Holder and Pruitt lead are called into the ministry and study at Fruitland.

Horton said Reuss has been a faithful contributor to Fruitland for more than 16 years by providing funds for scholarships that assist students with tuition and textbooks. Since 2007, she has contributed scholarship funds to FBBC students to further their ministerial education. Reuss has made, and continues to make, a difference in preparing those called to the ministry of the gospel, Horton said

"I don't have the gift to (preach) but I am glad I can help those people who do have this gift," she said.

Reuss is a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Forest City.