Harding University’s 10th annual Bisons for Christ event will be held on Wednesday, April 13. Students will work on approximately 200 service projects in teams ranging from five to 100 participants.
Student projects will include serving widows in their homes, visiting children’s homes, ministering to senior citizens, holding sport and academic camps for children in the community, taking care of animals at the local humane society and more.
Rock House intern Katelyn Manchester said this year’s theme “Here Am I, Send Me” is being incorporated into every aspect of the event in hopes of showing students that their service and ministry extends beyond the day.
“This day helps us give back to the Searcy community and show our appreciation for letting us be a part of this wonderful place,” Manchester said. “The community needs to see our love and support for it and not that we are in our own little bubble.”
Todd Gentry, college and outreach minister at College Church of Christ and co-director of Bisons for Christ, said he hopes the theme demonstrates that all are called to do ministry where they are.
“Bisons for Christ helps students understand that they can be part of ministry here,” Gentry said. “It also helps develop leadership in students. They realize they have talents that can be used for God.”
Gentry said many community ministries have been started through Bisons for Christ, and it has been incredible for him to watch the event grow.
“It is amazing to see lives changed through this event,” Gentry said. “One great thing about the event is that it is not just one day, and ministry continues afterward. People are served. Attitudes are changed. Christ is glorified. Some have become followers of Christ because Jesus was preached without words.”
Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 22 consecutive years as a top 25 school in the South. Harding also maintains study abroad programs in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information visit www.harding.edu.
