By Mitch Holt, Opinion Editor
A Chapel forum called “Lifetime of Service” took place Tuesday evening in Cullen Auditorium and attracted more than 150 students, showcasing an assortment of qualified professionals and faculty that spoke about the importance of service in the community.
Brad Carter, from the New Life Church and one of the evening’s speakers, spoke about the importance of living a life of service, highlighting that it is important for college students to get plugged in with a congregation, instead of simply “visiting churches” for their four years in Abilene.
“Signing up to be apart of a program or congregation should be a commitment in itself,” Carter said in his speech. “It has gotten to the point where churches expect college students not to be interested in getting involved because they’ve gotten burned so many times.”
The forum filled the back majority of Cullen Auditorium and students received three chapel credits for their attendance to the event, which lasted less than an hour and a half.
“The purpose of the forum was to show that service is about who we are and that God has created each of us with gifts and talents and he calls us to use those to his glory,” said Nancy Coburn, director of the Volunteer and Service-learning Center.
Janet Ardoyno from Abilene’s Big Brother Big Sister program spoke about the importance of going into your community and serving those in need.
“If you want a place to serve, it’s right at the end of your driveway or your church parking lot,” Ardoyno said.
Ardoyno said that Jesus was the ultimate mentor because he guided 12 men along with the rest of the world.
“You shouldn’t plan your entire future by going to school and trying to raise your GPA,” she said in her speech. “Figure out ways to use your gifts; every profession can mentor.”
Other voices for the night included student speaker Jordan Swim, junior Bible ministry major from Richardson, faculty speaker Cole Bennett, assistant professor of English, and community partner presenter Jo Beth Willis from Hendrick’s equine therapy program (HERO).
“For those who attended, I think a seed was planted,” Coburn said. “Not everyone came caring about the subject, but I pray that some students now feel freed to serve in ways they might not have considered before.”
