Members of the Pi Delta Chi Classics pose while ministering at a service event.
Societies put focus on ministries and service
Earlier this fall, when freshmen were deciding which society to join, one of the most popular questions they asked was, “What kind of ministries is your society involved in?” The question was a good one, especially since this year societies have refocused on reaching out to the community through service projects.
Societies can participate in different types of service projects. Community ministry outings emphasize involvement in the community, ministry outings involve uniting with churches to reach the community, and campus ministries often involve doing work for retirees who live on campus.
“There’s just a sense of fulfillment in doing something for someone other than yourself,” said Mr. Kasey McClure, lead coordinator of student organizations.
As societies are changing their focus to ministry, students are realizing how rewarding it can be.
The Beta Epsilon Chi Cardinals and Beta Gamma Delta Patriots recently participated in Fall Festival, a carnival at Thomas E. Kerns Elementary School in Greenville. For Amber Mills, a sophomore Spanish education major, the festival was a positive experience. “I got to make a lot of kids smile,” she said. The coordinator for the Fall Festival was so excited about the BJU students helping that Amber decided, “I need to do more service projects.”
The Alpha Theta Pi Razorbacks go street witnessing in downtown Greenville every Saturday morning. For Jon Moreno, extension leader of Alpha Theta Pi, street witnessing has been a “growing and stretching experience.” One freshman in Alpha Theta Pi who went street witnessing was able to lead a woman to Christ the first time he went. “Our service to [Christ] is not a result of our own crafty words or dynamic personalities. It’s the Holy Spirit, but we just need to be willing to be used as channels for Christ,” Jon said.
Recently the Beta Chi Omega Bear Cubs did a cookie bake in honor of Fran Duarte, a woman who used baking as an outreach to the community. Fran Duarte, who passed away this year, was the mother of Beta Chi Omega’s treasurer Katherine Duarte. The cookie bake, designed to take place each semester, involved baking hundreds of cookies, packaging them with Bible verses and a note that says “In loving memory of Fran Duarte,” and giving them to Meals on Wheels to distribute to the community.
As many societies have done this semester, the Kappa Theta Chi Stallions made their stag outing a ministry outing. They went to a widow’s house and did different jobs for her. The guys enjoyed serving so much that although they were scheduled to work only in the morning, they pushed back the cookout and games to continue working through the afternoon.
The Theta Chi Cougars and Zeta Tau Omega Seagulls did a ministry outing together as brother and sister societies. They went to Cornerstone Baptist Church in Asheville and passed out about 4,000 tracts in a couple of hours. The outing was a bonding experience for both societies and a great encouragement to the church.
Society service projects are all about building relationships. “We’re [building relationships] with the ultimate goal of furthering the Gospel for the cause of Christ,” Mr. McClure said. “You can’t help but be unified around something that’s greater than yourself.”
The Nu Alpha Phi Flames do a service project at Shepherd’s Gate, a homeless shelter for women. The Flames give free manicures to the ladies every Saturday morning. “The ladies here love it,” said Sandy Peeples, the case manager and volunteer coordinator at Shepherd’s Gate.
Many students do not feel they have time to invest in community projects. Ben Senn, a sophomore Bible major, did not get involved with service projects as a freshman, but this year he made a decision to get involved. “I think it would be good if we got out into the community and the people could see our motives,” he said.
Mr. McClure said he loves getting involved in community service projects. “This is my personality. I love working with the students,” he said. Mr. McClure wants students to see him as someone working with them to serve the community instead of someone who is simply promoting the projects. But he hopes that eventually societies will take the initiative in promoting service projects.
For some students, participating in service projects may be a huge challenge. “[However,] if you never step outside of your comfort zone, you’re really limiting the ways God can use you,” said Brandt Mills, president of Kappa Theta Chi.
Ultimately, service is about Christ. “What a great gift I’ve been given with the Gospel, and what an awesome responsibility I have to be a light for Christ,” Jon said.
