Matthew 25 named for its ‘visionary’
Those celebrating the dedication of the Burnett Coleman Matthew 25 Center Sunday included, from left, his cousin Milton Coleman, Matthew 25 Chair Ronnie Jones, widow Mary Coleman, board members Barbara Harrelson and Joyce Mauldin, and Rev. Chip Hannah. See more photos in this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online. (Deuce Niven, TLT)
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
“Burnett Coleman was small in stature, but was a giant of a man in countless ways,” Barbara Harrelson, a member of the Matthew 25 Board of Directors, said as the facility just west of Tabor City was dedicated in memory of the former banker whose vision resulted in the mission that welcomes families of incarcerated people to spend the night when visiting far from home.
Family, friends, and others associated with the center gathered in the parking lot off of Swamp Fox Hwy West for a program current board chair Ronnie Jones promised would be brief, in deference to temperatures that approached 90 degrees.
Jones said the gathering was because of the vision of Charles Burnett Coleman.
“He worked endless hours to find support and recruited many workers to help fulfil his dream,” Jones said. “On Aug. 20, 2017, we broke ground for this building. Then, on April 27, 2019, this facility was dedicated and opened to receive guests.
“It was a day of rejoicing and giving thanks to God for answered prayers. It was a moving day for us all, but especially for our leader, Burnett Coleman. His dream had become a reality.”
‘Countless ways’
A businessman and retired banker, Coleman led in “countless ways,” Harrelson said. “Leadership, humbleness, integrity, his quiet soft-spoken personality, obedience to God, and personal commitment and service to others. He was truly a man of his word.”
Harrelson likened Coleman to the apostle Paul, who in a letter to the people of Philippi “taught that the truly humble person first yields himself to Christ to be a servant, and then to use what he is and what he has for the glory of God and the good of others.”
Philippians admonished the faithful to look out for others, Harrelson said.
“After visiting the Burgaw Matthew 25 Center, Burnett was burdened with the vision that this community needed to likewise build a Matthew 25 Center for the TCI (Tabor Correctional Institution) families,” Harrelson said. “God used him to enlist and lead others as he worked tirelessly over a period of ten years or more.”
Harrelson described Coleman as “a visionary, a trailblazer, and a risk taker. He often walked the path, whether literally or in his mind. He led by example, never asking you to do anything he was not willing to do himself.
“He never wanted praise or recognition. He modeled commitment and dedication for this center. Burnett’s career led him into business and banking. But his true calling was serving others. His legacy is one which we should all model.”
Harrelson challenged everyone to “carry forth the mantle” as Burnett Coleman did.
“Fellow board members and guests, may we always remember his timely advice. In Burnett Coleman’s opinion, we need to stay busy. We still have work to do.”
‘When you see it’
Milton Coleman, a cousin of Burnett, unveiled the new sign outside the front door of what is now the “Burnett Coleman Matthew 25 Center.
Before removing the drape, Milton recalled growing up with his cousin, both active in 4-H, winning their share of awards and competitions across the state and beyond.
Milton recalled meeting with Charles Bullock, who became a major supporter of Matthew 25, at Ela’s restaurant in Calabash. There, Milton said, Burnett laid out the beginnings of his vision, including a requirement that the ministry be debt free.
A pinitol moment, Milton said, came when the Barker Foundation awarded a $100,000 matching grant for The Matthew 25 Center in Tabor City.”
“There were other gifts in five digits,” Milton said.
Donations remain essential for the continued operation of the center, Milton said.
There were times when the vision outpaced reality, Milton said. One such moment came when the wife of a major donor looked over the project, and the books, and said the proposed building was too big for the budget.
“Burnett said ‘She was right,’” Milton recalled. The budget was trimmed, and the project continued debt free.
Joyce Mauldin closed the program with a prayer. Rev. Chip Hannah opened the proceedings with a prayer, but first commented on the visionary being honored.
“That’s the thing about vision,” Hannah said. “If you don’t see it, you won’t see it, until you see it.”
Burnett, Hannah said, was “a true visionary.”
