From Israel to the Hill: A Legacy of Faith, Service, and Connection at Bryan College

This year, Bryan College has the privilege to benefit from this legacy in a unique way. Sahar and Kimmie Saado and their five children have come from their home in Israel to spend the school year with us. This is an opportunity for them to spend some time away from the turmoil surrounding their home but also to get to know our students, share their story, and pass on the Bryan legacy.

Sahar and Kimmie’s connection to Bryan began over 50 years ago when Terry Hill came to campus as a student. He played Basketball, studied History, and graduated in 1971. He then married his wife, Dianne, and had four children, one of whom was Kimmie. Kimmie grew up in Middle Tennessee hearing about Bryan College from her father. She knew she wanted to attend Bryan, but as her high school graduation approached, she didn’t think it was going to be financially possible.

One day while on family vacation, Terry received a phone call from Bryan asking if he would be interested in serving in the newly created Development Director position. As a result of her father’s new job, Kimmie and two of her siblings were able to attend Bryan College. Kimmie speaks highly of her time as a Bryan student and the spiritual growth she experienced through interactions with staff such as Dr. Drew Randle and Dr. Jack Traylor ’93H.

She graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education. Following graduation, Kimmie moved to Philadelphia to work with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). In 2010, she moved to Jerusalem with her parents, where she and Terry began coaching a basketball team and importing American football equipment for the Israeli/American Football League. It was through this that Kimmie met Sahar.

Sahar grew up as a secular Jew, going to the synagogue on weekends and holidays but not truly embracing belief in God. He enjoyed playing soccer and attempted a professional career. When this career did not pan out, Sahar came to America to pursue business opportunities. During that time, he came to know Jesus as his Savior at a Messianic synagogue in southern California. Following Sahar’s move back to Israel, his mentor asked him to drop by a nearby home to pick up some footballs he had purchased. Sahar went to pick them up and met Kimmie.

Sahar and Kimmie married in 2013, and a year later, they opened their tourism company, Israel Bible Tours. Their tours focus on exploring the Holy Land through the lens of deep Biblical study. As a Messianic Jew, Sahar shares his unique perspective on Jewish customs and the history of the locations visited. During the summer, the Saados host sports camps similar to the FCA camps Kimmie helped with in Philadelphia. They had nine kids at their first camp; at their most recent camp, ninety-six kids attended.

With the outbreak of war in Israel last year and the decline of tourism in the region, the Saados time became available. We are incredibly privileged to have them on the Hill with us this school year. They have already spent a great deal of time with students and shared their story in chapel. In the spring semester, Sahar will teach a class called BIB190: Scripture, Israel, & the Nations. He describes the intention for the class as “a virtual Bible study tour of Israel,” including discussion of archeology, history, and the political situation of Israel.

It is exciting to hear stories about how our alumni are making a difference, especially when they come back to campus to pass on the legacy of holding Christ Above All. Our annual Gifts for the King campaign is another part of the Bryan legacy that has been passed down over generations. 95% of our students rely on institutional funding to attend, and funds given to this campaign go toward students in need.

Will you be a part of the Bryan Legacy? Your support ensures that students like Kimmie, and countless others, can experience the spiritual and academic growth Bryan offers. Join us in making a lasting impact by contributing today. Visit bryan.edu/about/giving to make your donation and continue the legacy of Christ Above All.

With gratitude,

Dr. Douglas Mann, 
Bryan College President