October 26, 2015
MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER (10/27/15) - East Texas Baptist University students on Monday visited with ministries from across the globe to fulfill their calling to serve God during the university's annual Mission Marketplace event.
More than 40 ministries were on hand to discuss volunteer opportunities with students.
"Our goal is to provide opportunities to students, faculty and staff to serve a week, a day or for the rest of their lives," the university's Director of The Great Commission Center Lisa Seeley said Monday. "We have ministries from Marshall, across Texas and international ministries in order to expose students to places they could potentially serve."
ETBU juniors Lou Ozan and Lucas Boyett said they found several ministries that appealed to them.
"The Hub in Shreveport was interesting. They work with inner city homeless, low income, HIV positive and enslaved women and children," Ozan said. "This is part of being a Christian, to live out your calling. If you read the Bible, this is what God calls you to do. You don't have to go far away to serve in another country, it can be right here in your home town."
Marshall based organizations like Habitat for Humanity, United Churches of Marshall Food Pantry and Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center were among some of the local options for students.
ETBU sophomore Mallory Kauffman said she is particularly interested in serving locally.
"I like seeing Marshall based places here," Kauffman said. "I want to serve locally, here in America. I think one of the benefits of serving locally is that you see immediate effects in your home town."
International organizations like Mission Aviation Fellowship and World Orphans were also on hand to speak with students Monday, as well as ETBU's new nursing travel study course with Bethany World Ministries Inc.'s Sherry and Jerry Avery.
The Averys take students on a once a year trip to Zambia to minister and provide medical care to residents there.
"This gives (students) the opportunity to seek God in different ways and to use their skills to serve the Lord," Sherry Avery said.
(Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessener.com, story by MNM reporter Bridget Ortigo)