{"id":32543,"date":"2026-04-23T20:55:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T00:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=32543"},"modified":"2026-04-23T20:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T00:55:12","slug":"christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Christian Leadership Dinner at Tusculum to raise scholarship funds for students&#8217; faith development, honor couple that have served the God and enhanced the community&#8217;s quality of life"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tusculum.edu\/\">Tusculum University<\/a> students who are growing in their relationship with God by living in housing that fosters discipleship will benefit through scholarship funds raised at an upcoming dinner held on campus.<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_32544\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32544\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32544\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-300x279.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff and Lisa Idell will be honored Thursday, May 7, at the Christian Leadership Dinner.\" width=\"300\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-1024x953.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-768x715.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-1536x1430.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-2048x1907.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-215x200.jpg 215w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-150x140.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-120x112.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-100x93.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-50x47.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32544\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff and Lisa Idell will be honored Thursday, May 7, at the Christian Leadership Dinner.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Christian Leadership Dinner, which will be held Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Pioneer Arena, will also honor Jeff and Lisa Idell, two Greene County residents whose dedication to serving the Lord and loving their family have served as a model for others to follow.<\/p>\n<p>Jeff Idell has also been an exceptional Christian businessman, making positive contributions to the community\u2019s quality of life as a second-generation leader of the family company, Idell Construction. Lisa Idell has been a valuable partner and a significant contributor to the growth of young people\u2019s faith.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe welcome this opportunity to celebrate the Idells and further provide opportunities for students to draw closer to the Lord,\u201d said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president. \u201cThe Idells are outstanding members of our community, who are committed to glorifying God through their actions and providing high-quality homes and commercial buildings that have enhanced Greene County. Our Christian-based programs have been embraced by our students and have grown on our campus, and this dinner will enable us to keep the positive momentum growing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Enhancing students\u2019 faith<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tusculum seeks to raise $66,000 for scholarships and housing needs through the dinner. Funds from the event will provide additional $2,000 scholarships to students who reside in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center on campus. Tusculum established the center, which consists of one university-owned house for males and another one for females, in August with the start of the academic year.<\/p>\n<p>Dinner attendees will experience firsthand the love of the Lord exhibited by these students and these Pioneers\u2019 enjoyment of living in the center. One of the students will give a personal testimony, and a group of four of them will participate in a brief panel discussion moderated by the Rev. E.J. Swatsell, Tusculum\u2019s director of spiritual life and special projects. The students will share how they have spent this school year and the benefits the center has brought to their lives as well as to the community.<\/p>\n<p>The dinner will also feature brief messages from Dr. Hummel and Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32546\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32546\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32546\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-300x268.jpg\" alt=\"Male students in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center stand outside their house. Left to right are Nour Nabi, Josh Rowe and Rio Little.\" width=\"300\" height=\"268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-1024x914.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-768x686.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-1536x1372.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-2048x1829.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-224x200.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-150x134.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-120x107.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-100x89.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-5-1-50x45.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32546\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Male students in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center stand outside their house. Left to right are Nour Nabi, Josh Rowe and Rio Little.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_32545\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32545\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32545\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-300x222.jpg\" alt=\"Female students in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center relax in their house. Left to right are Danielle Dugger, Analise Kotynski, Jasmine Johnson, Kieley Smith and Abby Counter.\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-1024x757.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-768x568.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-1536x1136.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-2048x1515.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-270x200.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-150x111.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-120x89.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-100x74.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-4-1-50x37.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32545\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Female students in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center relax in their house. Left to right are Danielle Dugger, Analise Kotynski, Jasmine Johnson, Kieley Smith and Abby Counter.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Through Bible studies, mentorship and ministry engagement, the center provides a Christ-centered environment where first- and second-year students are discipled, strengthened in their faith and formed for lives of service and leadership. Supporting them are Swatsell and peer mentors \u2013 older students who also live in the houses.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to weekly gatherings as a group, the students have collaborated on important service initiatives. These include the university\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/web.tusculum.edu\/academics\/nettie-fowler-mccormick-service-day\/\">Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day<\/a> and participation in Operation Christmas Child, a project run by Samaritan\u2019s Purse. Students have also visited area churches and spoken to congregations.<\/p>\n<p>Tusculum has 15 students in the center this semester, and Swatsell said many who are looking to enroll at Tusculum starting in August are attracted to the idea of living in a community of fellow students seeking to expand their relationship with God.<\/p>\n<p>This successful launch of the center and the interest it continues to generate have resulted in a plan to open a third house in the fall. That became possible in 2025 with the awarding of a grant by the Tweed Family Foundation to renovate that newest structure. Dr. Cook said the additional house will enable Tusculum to serve about 35 students in the center.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have been delighted watching these young men and women embrace the opportunity to deepen their faith,\u201d Swatsell said. \u201cI have been extremely impressed with the personal growth in these students and look forward to seeing them become leaders in strengthening God\u2019s kingdom. God desires for students at that age to grow in their faith, recognize their calling and purpose and live the gospel message. This group is enthusiastically accepting that approach to life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Discipleship Living-Learning Center is part of the Christian Leadership Institute, a multifaceted program that was also launched in 2025, and the university\u2019s campus ministries. Dr. Hummel said campus ministry is one of the best ways to fulfill the Great Commission. He noted that the CLI produces strong disciples and leaders, who will, in turn, disciple others on campus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Honoring the Idells<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Idells will be recognized as distinguished Christian community leaders during the dinner, and their lifetime of service to God and the community will be highlighted in a video.<\/p>\n<p>The couple have been married since Sept. 5, 1987, and have two sons and daughters-in-law \u2013 Jordan and Maddie and Josh and Madison \u2013 and a grandson, Silas. While Jeff has been out front in the business and in community service activities, Lisa has primarily served in a support role for her family while leading an active faith life. The couple are members of First Baptist Church, where Jeff serves as a deacon.<\/p>\n<p>Individually, Jeff serves as the chief executive officer of Idell Construction, a business started by his dad, Billy, in 1987. Jeff amusingly tells the story about his dad leaving his employer to start the company while Jeff and Lisa were on their honeymoon. Not long after the couple returned, Jeff joined his dad in the business.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32548\" style=\"width: 271px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32548\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32548\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-261x300.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff Idell, left, and his brother, Mike, stand on the concourse at Pioneer Park.\" width=\"261\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-261x300.jpg 261w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-890x1024.jpg 890w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-768x884.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-1335x1536.jpg 1335w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-1779x2048.jpg 1779w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-174x200.jpg 174w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-130x150.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-104x120.jpg 104w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-87x100.jpg 87w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-3-1-43x50.jpg 43w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32548\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff Idell, left, and his brother, Mike, stand on the concourse at Pioneer Park.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_32547\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32547\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32547\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff Idell, left, and his brother, Mike, stand on the infield at Eastman Credit Union Field at Pioneer Park.\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-768x533.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-1536x1066.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-2048x1421.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-288x200.jpg 288w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-120x83.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-100x69.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-2-1-1-1-50x35.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32547\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff Idell, left, and his brother, Mike, stand on the infield at Eastman Credit Union Field at Pioneer Park.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In addition to Jeff, his brother, Mike, serves as chief operating officer. Jeff\u2019s son Josh, handles project management and design. Mike\u2019s son, Matt, is a project manager, and his other son, Eric, takes care of project management and excavation. Mike\u2019s wife Regina also works for the company as office manager.<\/p>\n<p>Idell Construction undertakes residential and commercial projects, including many at the university. One of their most well-known projects was the construction of Pioneer Park. The company also performed foundation work for the Indoor Practice Facility and assisted the general contractor with construction of Pioneer Field. Idell laid the brick pavers outside the football field and built the concrete sidewalks between the Tusculum Arch, McCormick Hall, the Thomas J. Garland Library and Virginia Hall.<\/p>\n<p>In the community, Idell\u2019s work has included seven Marathon convenience stores, the Pizza Inn and Dairy Queen, as well as 1.6 million square feet of foundation work in Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park. Idell has also built many custom homes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you look at the scope and quality of Idell\u2019s work on campus and in the community, you have to be impressed,\u201d Dr. Hummel said. \u201cThe leadership Jeff has demonstrated has been a major contributor to the community\u2019s economic success, but what stands out just as much is the commitment to running a family business and operating it in a Christian manner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Extensive service work in the community<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jeff Idell is not focused solely on growing his business. He plays an integral role in the infrastructure that undergirds the community\u2019s needs in times of challenge. He serves as president of AIDNET, a nonprofit organization that helps individuals who have experienced disasters. AIDNET was a prominent group in helping Greene Countians whose lives were upended by the massive damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Working with churches and other organizations, AIDNET rebuilt 60 homes. Jeff also dedicated two years to helping the community recover from the 2011 tornadoes in the county.<\/p>\n<p>Together, Jeff and Lisa have backed Young Life in Greene County, a program that invites young people to experience life as God designed it to be and become even closer to the Lord. A subset of that organization is Young Life College, which has provided weekly Bible studies, fellowship and periodic special fun events to male and female students at Tusculum. Jeff has served with Young Life in Greene County for 12 years and is the board chair.<\/p>\n<p>In conjunction with two other companies, Idell Construction built the third Isaiah 117 House, which provides physical and emotional assistance for children who have been removed from their homes and are awaiting placement by the Department of Children\u2019s Services into a foster home. Jeff Idell serves on the local and national boards of Isaiah 117 House.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJeff and Lisa have poured into the lives of so many individuals and have had a profound effect on the community,\u201d Dr. Cook said. \u201cThey have listened carefully to what the Lord has asked them to do and have been the hands and feet of God. People of all ages would do well to emulate Jeff and Lisa\u2019s approach to faith. We are honored to know them and are thrilled we can honor them for serving the Lord so fervently with all of their hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When he discusses his and his wife\u2019s lives and the way they have led it, Jeff said their approach is rooted in their faith.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re just keeping our heads down and serving the Lord, using our bodies as an instrument,\u201d he said. \u201cOur sons are a strong witness for God as well. We are who we are today because of the legacy of my mom and dad. I am so humbled and honored that Tusculum has chosen to recognize my family with this award. I feel so unworthy of something of this magnitude.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tickets to the dinner are $100 apiece. Tables of eight are available for $1,000, which includes acknowledgement at the event and in marketing materials. People can purchase the tickets by emailing Swatsell at <a href=\"mailto:eswatsell@tusculum.edu\">eswatsell@tusculum.edu<\/a>. A $2,000 individual donation becomes a sponsorship of a scholarship.<\/p>\n<p>Additional information about Tusculum\u2019s campus ministries can be accessed at <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/campus-ministries\/\">https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/campus-ministries\/<\/a>. To learn more about the university, please visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tusculum.edu\">www.tusculum.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><h3><strong>GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tusculum.edu\/\">Tusculum University<\/a> students who are growing in their relationship with God by living in housing that fosters discipleship will benefit through scholarship funds raised at an upcoming dinner held on campus.<\/h3>\n<p>The Christian Leadership Dinner, which will be held Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Pioneer Arena, will also honor Jeff and Lisa Idell, two Greene County residents whose dedication to serving the Lord and loving their family have served as a model for others to follow.<\/p>\n<p>Jeff Idell has also been an exceptional Christian businessman, making positive contributions to the community\u2019s quality of life as a second-generation leader of the family company, Idell Construction. Lisa Idell has been a valuable partner and a significant contributor to the growth of young people\u2019s faith.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/\"> Read the full article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[131,91,7,19,142,169,146,1,6,148,147,149,172],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Christian Leadership Dinner at Tusculum to raise scholarship funds for students&#039; faith development, honor couple that have served the God and enhanced the community&#039;s quality of life :: Tusculum University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Christian Leadership Dinner at Tusculum to raise scholarship funds for students&#039; faith development, honor couple that have served the God and enhanced the community&#039;s quality of life :: Tusculum University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREENEVILLE \u2013 Tusculum University students who are growing in their relationship with God by living in housing that fosters discipleship will benefit through scholarship funds raised at an upcoming dinner held on campus. The Christian Leadership Dinner, which will be held Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Pioneer Arena, will also honor Jeff and Lisa Idell, two Greene County residents whose dedication to serving the Lord and loving their family have served as a model for others to follow. Jeff Idell has also been an exceptional Christian businessman, making positive contributions to the community\u2019s quality of life as a second-generation leader of the family company, Idell Construction. Lisa Idell has been a valuable partner and a significant contributor to the growth of young people\u2019s faith. Read the full article...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY NEWS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-24T00:55:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/dinner-1-1-300x279.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jim Wozniak\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jim Wozniak\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/\",\"name\":\"Christian Leadership Dinner at Tusculum to raise scholarship funds for students' faith development, honor couple that have served the God and enhanced the community's quality of life :: Tusculum University\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-24T00:55:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-24T00:55:12+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/21b61c94e78ce303ab780be8b1e62dd7\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/christian-leadership-dinner-at-tusculum-to-raise-scholarship-funds-for-students-faith-development-honor-couple-that-have-served-the-god-and-enhanced-the-communitys-quality-of-life\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"News and Information\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Christian Leadership Dinner at Tusculum to raise scholarship funds for students&#8217; 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The Christian Leadership Dinner, which will be held Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Pioneer Arena, will also honor Jeff and Lisa Idell, two Greene County residents whose dedication to serving the Lord and loving their family have served as a model for others to follow. Jeff Idell has also been an exceptional Christian businessman, making positive contributions to the community\u2019s quality of life as a second-generation leader of the family company, Idell Construction. Lisa Idell has been a valuable partner and a significant contributor to the growth of young people\u2019s faith. 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