I have mixed feelings about life insurance. On one hand, I want to make sure that my wife and young family will be looked after should I suddenly die. On the other hand, I really don’t like betting against myself. 

Despite my reservations, I recently purchased a policy and automatically named my wife and children as beneficiaries. It’s not something that I really had to think about. I didn’t name my real estate agent or my neighbour across the street. I was purchasing the policy to help protect the ones that I love. 

Six months ago I received some paperwork about a different life insurance policy, one for the late Rev. MacPherson Eaton. ‘Mac’, as he was known, had taken out a life insurance policy after his retirement to care for the people he loved. Why was a copy on my desk? Because Mac had named Acadia Divinity College as the beneficiary. 

Mac was a pastor within the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches as well as an alumni of ADC. Upon graduating with a Master of Divinity degree, Mac was called to Windsor Plains Baptist Church, a member church of the African United Baptist Association (AUBA). Mac fell in love with the people and the community where he faithfully served. For people who knew Mac, it probably comes as no surprise that he used this final gift to help others. 

With the generous gift left to us by Mac, Acadia Divinity College is proud to announce the establishment of the Dora Grey & Madeline Sampson Bursary, named after two deacons of the Windsor Plains Baptist Church. This bursary will provide assistance to all African Nova Scotians, or members of an AUBA church, with financial need who are studying at Acadia Divinity College. For years to come, Mac’s final act of love will become a yearly gift to many future students, assisting them with their theological education. 

After attending Mac’s funeral, meeting some of his family and friends, and hearing all that he had done to help and support those he knew and loved, I was reminded of Jesus’ own words before He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) 

Mac Eaton was undeniably a disciple of Christ. By his act of love he is helping Acadia Divinity College equip other disciples to serve for years to come. We hope that others will be inspired to do the same. 

Written by Rev. John Campbell, Director of Advancement. Originaly Published in the 2015 Fall issues of the ADC Today