Student service impacts broader community
By Mayeken Kehr
Countless Bethel College students took a break from textbooks and classrooms to participate in Bethel's annual Service Day.
Students dispersed to around 27 different locations in the Newton area on Wednesday, April 16, effectively carrying out Bethel's "ethic of discipleship." Some locations required several groups to come at allotted times, while others only required a few for the day. But no matter what location students served at, it is clear that they had an impact.
Amy Barker, campus pastor and head organizer of Service Day, explained that around one-third of the locations are determined by faculty and staff.
"One thing that has been really important is having faculty leadership," said Barker. "For example, Paul Lewis [professor of psychology and philosophy] organizes a service learning day. This includes visiting and learning about a Hindu temple, planting trees or flowers and learning about humanitarian aid."
In addition to faculty leadership, some coaches and resident assistants (RAs) take initiative and organize sports teams or hallway residents respectively to serve together.
Abby Miller, junior from Elkhart, Ind., served with her fellow hall-mates at Showalter Villa, a health care facility for the elderly, in Hesston. CJ Unruh, Perryton, Texas, an RA in Voth Hall, made the service into a hall function to increase participation in Service Day.
"We went and talked and hung out with the elderly," said Miller, "[It is important] because they don't get to see younger faces often. [It is especially important] for those that don't have family. When kids come in, it’s generally to see a grandparent or relative."
The women conversed with the elderly over the lunch hour and had a "good time" doing it. Miller, who used to paint nails for some of the ladies at Showalter Villa, was particularly excited to see familiar faces.
Rachael Bachman, freshman from Emporia, also had an "enjoyable time" serving with the Thresher basketball team at Prairie View Mental Health Facility in Newton. The women raked leaves and laid mulch from 9-12 in the morning.
"They were really appreciative," said Bachman, "and the work got done faster with all of us [the basketball team] there working together."
Although Bachman has participated in service efforts before, this was her first official "Service Day."
"It shows the kind of people that are at Bethel—they are willing to help," she said. "The community supports us in a lot of things—it’s important to give back to them."
It was also the first time that Drew Pippin, junior from Tulsa, Okla., served on Bethel's Service Day. Pippin helped plant flowers in downtown Newton near apartments and an arboretum. Pippin enjoyed the experience, saying, "It was nice to get out and help others."
"Working with friends always makes it fun," said Pippin, "and I know Mother Nature appreciated us."
Based on this year's experiences, Miller, Bachman and Pippin all plan to participate in next year's Service Day. Miller provided further reason to continue serving:
"There is importance in giving back to the community. As Christians, we are called to help others and do service for others—to be the hands of Christ."
Barker receives abundant positive feedback from the locations that benefit from Service Day. "People in our community love that we come," she said.
"Service Day is a great opportunity that the college provides for us to serve others in the community and for people to work together … it’s a gift that we're given that opportunity," said Barker. "In addition, it gives people who don't know about Bethel a window into who we are."
While Barker appreciates the public recognition of service on this Service Day, she is wary of measuring the level of service on Bethel's campus by the numbers of students who serve on this designated day.
"There are a lot of different things that people do in service year-round that we don't name," said Barker. "If we did name what the social work and education majors, the nurses and countless others did every day, the effect would be profound."