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Jul 01

Students Serve Through Sabbath School

Gracelyn Lloyd, Southern Adventist University senior communication major

Southern Adventist University encourages students to become contributing members of churches, families, and communities through service and outreach. Earlier this school year, students from Southern experienced the joy of service by helping to conduct Sabbath School classes at Greenbriar Cove, a local senior residence in Collegedale, Tenn.

Emily O’Connor, junior pre-physical therapy major; Sunika Tarusenga, senior health science major; and Hannah Escamilla, junior chemistry major, learned of the opportunity to serve after O’Connor initiated her Christian Service credit there. Moved by her first encounter, she returned regularly and invited Tarusenga and Escamilla to join in. The women assisted in the worship services, shared their talents of piano playing and singing, and prayed with the delighted residents.

“We invited people to come as we walked through the halls. We went through the Sabbath School quarterly lesson and sang hymns, but my favorite part was connecting with the residents,” O’Connor recalls fondly, remembering the excitement of the residents as they arrived. “Many are there after losing their partners and it can be hard, but young people who visit are a ray of light.”

“Being the hands and feet of Jesus made it very rewarding,” said Tarusenga. “It made me think more about being intentional with people. There are lots of ways to make a difference. Sometimes it’s just being present and showing up for people.”

“It was a really good experience; it helped me get closer to God and balance my routine. I study a lot and want to do well, but this gave me an opportunity to slow down and connect with people, to feel like I was needed. I don’t know how many students struggle with ‘Where am I going?’ and ‘What is my purpose?’ but volunteering helped me to see that there is something beyond me,” said O’Connor.

Southern Adventist University | July 2024

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