The annual Summit conference brought alumni, students and faculty together to deepen their understanding of faith through a multitude of teachings over Deuteronomy.

With work from a variety of departments on campus, the exhibit was hosted for presentation in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building room 115.

Based the Deuteronomy 10 passage,“He enacts justice for orphans and the widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing,” the walk-through experience shared testimonials and items from Abilene refugees.

Braden Crow, senior biblical studies and communications major from Fort Worth, said he was glad he got to witness the refugee experience, but wanted to see more.

“It was powerful to hear about these people’s lives here in Abilene and how they have a new opportunity here that they wouldn’t have had back in their home country, but I wanted to hear more of their story,” Crow said. “‘What were their lives like back in their home country? What led them to Jesus? And how is their relationship with Jesus growing and changing because of the place they live now?’ One of our most powerful tools is our testimony and I wanted to hear theirs and how the Lord has taken them from one place to the other.”

“From pre-health students to Maker Lab workers, everyone who volunteers had either mission experience or a passion for helping the refugee crisis,” said Louis Sanchez, junior biology major from Austin.

Sanchez said the best part about working on the project was knowing that it was creating awareness.

“Although small, it felt wonderful to contribute and bring awareness to people about what is going on beyond and within our borders,” Sanchez said. “The one lesson I took away from this experience is that as Christians, we should open our arms to people in search of help as our Lord did.”