Fruitland Baptist Bible College (FBBC) honored three individuals with the school’s 2023 alumni awards during a breakfast for alumni and friends on Tuesday, Nov. 7, held in conjunction with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s annual meeting in Greensboro.

Fruitland President David Horton presented both Don Holder and Paul Pruitt with the Alumnus of the Year Award. 

Horton also presented the Advancing Fruitland Award to Elinore Reuss. The Advancing Fruitland Award is given to an individual or church who has significantly helped the college move forward in a financial way. 

Holder and Pruitt both currently lead addiction recovery ministries in North Carolina. Horton said many of the individuals served by the ministries that Holder and Pruitt lead are called into the ministry and study at Fruitland.

Horton said Reuss has been a faithful contributor to Fruitland for more than 16 years by providing funds for scholarships that assist students with tuition and textbooks.

Following are brief bios on each honoree based on information provided by Fruitland.

Don Holder, 2023 Alumnus of the Year recipient

Don Holder is a 1992 graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible College. Holder is the executive director of Hebron Colony in Boone, where he has served since 2000. During his years as a pastor, the Lord gave Holder a passion and love for those struggling with addiction, and at Hebron Colony, seeing the captives set free from bondage is his primary ministry focus. Many of those set free have responded to a call to ministry and have continued their education at Fruitland. Don and his wife, Karen, have one son, Heath.

Paul Pruitt, 2023 Alumnus of the Year recipient

Paul Pruitt is the executive director of Bethel Colony of Mercy in Lenoir, where he has served since 2003. Pruitt graduated from Fruitland in 2001. The burden of Pruitt’s heart is to see those held captive by drugs and alcohol to experience the freedom from bondage that Christ offers. As lives are changed at Bethel, many of those men seek to serve God in ministry and God’s call often leads them to Fruitland. Paul and his wife, Stacy, have three children, Johnny (who is also in full-time ministry), Krysten and Makayla.

Elinore Reuss, 2023 Advancing Fruitland Award recipient

Elinore Reuss has been a faithful contributor to Fruitland for more than 16 years by supporting FBBC students with scholarships for tuition and textbooks. Since 2007, she has provided more $76,000 in scholarship funds to FBBC students to further their ministerial education. Reuss has made, and continues to make, a huge difference in preparing those called to the ministry of the gospel.