Service is one of the core teachings of the Bible. It speaks time and time again about helping and loving people. What we as a group of students and faculty of Koinonia believe to be true is that very thing the Bible said in Matthew 25.34-40 (The Message),”Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: 

   I was hungry and you fed me, 
   I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, 
   I was homeless and you gave me a room, 
   I was shivering and you gave me clothes, 
   I was sick and you stopped to visit, 
   I was in prison and you came to me.’ 

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’

Here are some questions I asked some students and faculty and their answers about service.

Vicki Hollishead- Education professor 

What benefits have you seen in your students from participating in service projects?

Students have to reflect on the project at the beginning, halfway through, and at the end.  It is always interesting to learn how their thoughts have changed over the course of the project.  It is a good time for us to share our thoughts and feelings and frustrations.  When students have to list their learning outcomes at the end of the project, they are always amazed at what they have learned. The learning outcomes from individual students vary, and they enjoy discussing those individual outcomes.  They also have a sense of self-satisfaction, that they have helped someone in some way.

How do you feel that service can impact the lives of students – spiritually, mentally, vocationally, educationally, etc.?

My hope is that if my future teachers participate in service learning, they will see its value and use it as an instructional strategy in their own classrooms.  It is a powerful strategy which can teach students much more than content knowledge.  It can give them a feeling of self-worth and help them to understand how they can promote positive change in the real world.

Opal Williams- Student

In your service, what (service project, place, population, life altering incident) stands out to you?

The thing that stood out to me the most about the services I’ve done was when I had the opportunity to spend time with people in at the Safe House Outreach program. I was so amazed as to see how even though they didn’t have much they were rich in spirit. Despite the things they were going through, they still held strong to their hope in God.

What is most valuable to you (or to people in general) about serving?

I enjoy being able to make someone else’s life less stressful and being able to help add joy and hope to their life.

Why would you recommend service to other students?

I think that everyone should find some way to give back to others than have been dealt the unfortunate cards of life. I know there could never be a poverty free world but we can help lower the level by helping the ones around us.

Sven Legg- Student

In your service, what (service project, place, population, life altering incident) stands out to you?

That one time I went to Dream Center, I met this kid named Lafayette.  Since that trip had almost as many workers as kids, I got to hang out one-on-one with Lafayette for almost the whole time.  When we all walked to Krispy Kreme for their special treat doughnut, he rode on my shoulders and sang talked with me the entire way.  On the way back, we veered into a playground for a few minutes play on the submarine-shaped monkey bars.  I’ll probably never see him again, but I know we’ll remember each other forever.  I just hope he remember what we talked about.  That fighting does not show love to God, unlike what his brother taught him.  That love means helping and giving to and listening to other people, without asking for anything back.  

The day we helped Pablo work on that Habitat home, the air was full of more than dust and the sound of air-driven nails: it was filled with laughter, the comfortable chatter of old friends and the making of new friends.  Yes, we swept away layers of drywall dust, laid down plywood floors, laid vinyl siding, and built railings, but when I review those Facebook pictures, I hear the laughing shouts and Pablo’s stories.  From arriving to sweeping to hammering to climbing to falling to praying, it was another great day for people. 

What is most valuable to you (or to people in general) about serving?

In Sociology class, we learn about the stratification of people.  That some are the “haves” and some are the “have-nots.”  Days spent serving permanently blur those definitions.  I learn the joy of accepting charity from others, and the joy of sharing what I have.

Why would you recommend service to other students?

I’ve heard that anyone who knows a Christian has a relationship with Christ, because we are His physical presence.  Would Christ serve?

Melissa Morrison- Student

In your service, what (service project, place, population, life altering incident) stands out to you?

While we were at the homeless shelter, one lady opened up to us more than the others. Several of us engaged in conversation with her, and we felt we made a connection. Before we left, she told us that a lot of people come through there to feed them but few people came through to comfort them. She said she had never felt so at peace before and could tell we cared about more than her stomach. That touched my heart.

What is most valuable to you (or to people in general) about serving?

For me, the sacrifice is worth the reward. Every time I have been involved in a service project, I go with the mindset of, “I am going to be a blessing to these people.” And every time I walk away having been blessed by someone who could complain about circumstances, but chooses to find joy in the Lord.

Why would you recommend service to other students?

Each person needs to take part in a service project because you truly take on a servant’s heart. To be like Chris is a Christians ultimate goal, and what better way to show Christ to others than by serving them as Christ would.

Once a semester, Emmanuel College Service Learning, called Koinonia, facilitates a Wednesday night chapel service. The focus of fall 2008 was poverty. A message was conveyed through statistics, video, and student speakers. Perhaps the most striking testimony was that of two students who voluntarily took a vow of poverty to understand how to approach the issue. They explained their week long experience to the rest of the student body, and then allowed for other curious students to take on a challenge similar to theirs. Seniors Brittani Panozzo and LJ Gay gave up their cars, cell phones, and simple luxuries (like shampoo) to increase their ability to sympathize with the poor.

Their stories inspired several other students to take a vow of poverty afterward. All of the students involved with this vow said they felt very grateful after the experience, because it made them realize how much they took for granted. A deeper appreciation for basic necessities and a broadened perspective- these are just two of the results of these sacrificial vows. EC’s Service Learning continues to receive positive feedback on the service.

A few students painting the Wellspring House

By Meredith Grady

Slavery still exists in the South. It may not look the way it did in the 1800s, but people are still being bought and sold every day. The city of Atlanta is one of the biggest hubs for human trafficking on the face of the planet, unbeknownst to many US citizens. There, approximately 200 children and young teens a day are put on the market for sex.

While the typical American has no knowledge of this fact, Emmanuel College found out and decided to take action. On September 20, 2008, a group of 25 concerned students participated in a construction project hosted by Wellspring Living. Founded by Mary Frances Bowley. Wellspring Living is a ministry for women affected by drugs, sexual abuse, and prostitution. The new Wellspring’s Home For Girls is a rehabilitation center in the works for girls rescued from the sex trade in Atlanta.

The residents of this home will live in their own rooms, receive counseling, and have their basic needs met by Wellspring and other various aid groups. Emmanuel College volunteers labored diligently by painting these rooms, tearing out damaged carpet, and scraping off old wallpaper. Under the supervision of Wellspring Program Strategist Angel Vickers and Emmanuel College Service Learning’s Regina Moon, EC students had the opportunity to engage in social action.

“I felt blessed to work for such an amazing cause.” said EC junior Caitie Poole. She continued. “I have always wanted to help oppressed women and girls in a practical way. Today I got to live that out, to show Christ’s love.”

Christ’s love was indeed lived out through this service project. The results were not instant, though. The home at the time of EC’s visit, still had obvious work to be done to it. For more information on how to help, please visit Wellspring Living.