Visiting a College Campus is a Life-Changing Experience
Rev. Dr. Graham Baird is the senior pastor of BurlPres, a large Presbyterian church located in Burlingame, California, just south of San Francisco on the bay.
Dr. Baird has twice visited the Forman Christian College campus in Lahore, Pakistan. His most recent visit was in December 2024 with a group of other church leaders and Friends of Forman staff.
“Visiting the FCCU campus has changed my life,” said Dr. Baird. “I’ve been many places in my life, but I’ve never been anywhere as magical as Lahore. Don’t believe the words you hear in America about how awful it is over here. This is a place of God.”
Churches Supporting Scholarships as Mission Work
Under Dr. Baird’s leadership, BurlPres has been a strong supporter of Friends of Forman. They’ve come to see the impact that a Christian education can have in a foreign nation like Pakistan. However, seeing this impact in person makes an even greater impact.
“We’ve experienced such generosity and openness. These are people of God. Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth. These are the people He was talking about.”
Giving back to an organization like Friends of Forman is how many churches support Christian missions abroad. The scholarships you provide to deserving students have a far-reaching impact on their family and local communities.
Experiencing Equality and Tolerance on Campus
This equality and tolerance extends not only to female students, but also to those from different socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. These minority students likely wouldn’t otherwise have the same educational opportunities, because most Pakistani schools aren’t as open as FCCU.
“It’s so profound to see these women who come out of abject poverty. We see abject poverty in the United States. But to hear these stories of life transformation is so powerful.”
Even something as simple as opening and practicing a Christian faith is something the Western world can take for granted. However, Dr. Baird and the other visitors experienced firsthand how important this is for the Christian students at FCCU.
“Music has been a big part of our trip. Christians value music, and it’s something we take for granted when we openly sing our hymns on Sunday. When we were in the chapel, the kids were singing worship music with such fervor. We’ve seen so many examples of people sharing their faith through music. It may sound simple, but it’s truly amazing.”
If you’re interested in visiting the Forman Christian College campus in Lahore, please contact Friends of Forman to learn more.