On Wednesday, Birmingham’s Highlands College announced Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green and the Green family donated $20 million, which will fund the institution’s first of two residence halls.

Highlands College, a Bible college founded by the Church of the Highlands in 2011, is a self-described “biblical higher education institution” that prepares students who are led into full-time Christian ministry through a rigorous four-pillar program of academic instruction, hands-on training, character formation and spiritual development, according to a release accompanying the announcement.

The contribution from Green will allow Highlands College to construct the residence hall debt-free to fulfill a mission to offer a four-year program within a few years with a strategic plan of 1,000 students by 2029 and a “vision” for all students to graduate debt-free.

“Our family sees this gift as an investment paying dividends as each graduate fulfills their calling,” said Green. “Highlands College is like no other. It is a community of believers, leaders, and learners who develop the whole person in spirit, mind, and body.”

“We envision Highlands College as a world-class facility for training servant leaders of character and competence, and the gift invested by the Green family goes a long way toward fulfilling our vision,” said Chris Hodges, chancellor of Highlands College. “We are so grateful for their confidence in our mission and the impact Highlands College can have in our world.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.