September 8, 2015
MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER (9/5/2015) - Many college students, when attending school away from their hometowns, will become involved with campus life without participating in the city's community. But a group of students from East Texas Baptist University is spending weekday evenings doing just that.
"We do (games) and a Bible study and then have (snacks) and Kool-Aid. The main thing is to love on the kids and to let them know we're here (for them)," said junior Ashley Mexicano, who is a leader for the ETBU outreach program Kid's Club.
"Not only are we part of the ETBU community, we (students) are part of Marshall," Mexicano, a child development major from Pasadena, Texas, said.
That attitude is what drives the group - last year comprising about six to eight students - to head to two apartment complexes in Marshall two nights a week each.
"We go to Ward Plaza Tuesdays and Thursdays and Belaire on Mondays and Wednesdays," she said. "Some of the guys take the kids out (to ETBU) to play basketball. Sometimes we would help the kids with their homework. (We go) just to let the kids know that we're there for them."
The group, sponsored by ETBU's Baptist Student Ministry, has been a staple outreach program for the school for more than 30 years.
"It is definitely one of the longest community ministries as far as BSM is concerned," BSM Director Mark Yates said. "One of the coolest things is I've been in the BSM directory spot for 10 years, and I will occasionally meet adults who will say I went to Kid's Club as a child. It's pretty cool making those connections in the community. The gist of the conversation (we have) is it was impactful for them and they enjoyed it and it was a good connection and good memories."
Yates said there are a number of reasons the program has had such longevity.
"One, just because of the relationships (students form) with the children," the 1984 ETBU graduate said. "Getting to go out and love on and minister and serve the kids in those complexes and their families, lots of our students love doing that and building the relationship with those families. We just have a steady stream of students who are interested in that kind of ministry."
And because of those relationships, ETBU students of all types are involved.
"(It's) not just students who are active in BSM, but students across our campus as a whole (who participate in Kid's Club)," Yates said.
"There are students who are not necessarily involved in other aspects of ministry but who plug into Kid's Club. So we get it out there and encourage as many kids as we can to get involved.
"Obviously our biggest goal is to demonstrate and live out the Gospel in front of the kids and their families, but also I hope that through this that what we do through the ministry can expand also to increase to serving families in a larger way than just the Kid's Club ministries."
While sharing Scripture is an important part of the interaction between the ETBU students and the children, it is not the only reason for the visits.
"Sometimes you can't (share Scripture) with kids because they won't understand it," Mexicano said, noting some of the children at the apartment complexes are just too young to understand Bible stories. "Sometimes you can only show them love because that's a way to show God's love; it's an action."
The group is starting up again soon, since the fall semester is now under way, and Mexicano encourages all ETBU students to consider taking part.
"Try it. Get involved. You've got to get involved and get to know the people," she said. "The kids do (remember you). You wind up being a big part of their lives. Just to see them grow is something cool."
For information, email Mexicano at Ashley_Mexicano@etbu.edu or contact the BSM at www.etbu.edu/spiritual-development/bsm.
(Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessenger.com. Story by News Editor Cait Shields)