CCCB observes Saints Day of Service

Central Christian College of the Bible sponsored a day of service for students, faculty and staff last Thursday, February 10, called the Saints Day of Service.  Over two-thirds of the student body and the majority of the faculty and staff played a part in the day focused on serving others.  This day of service was a part of the Student Revival Week held on campus last week.

The purpose of the Saints Day of Service was to provide Central’s students and staff an opportunity to give, serve, and care and was carried out in conjunction with the food pantry ministry of Timber Lake Christian Church.  During the Saints Day of Service there was a free store, hot meal, and personal conversation and follow-up with each food pantry recipient.

This day was meant to benefit the community as those in need were helped with items they have difficulty being able to afford.  Conducting this ministry in a local church context where people are already networked to provide continued follow-up was a key to making this ministry a success.  The Central students became more aware of the needs of those living in this community and participated in a model for how they might organize such an event in their future ministries.

A lot of planning went into the Day of Service that began with breakfast at 7:15 and concluded with clean-up late into the evening.   The students divided into teams to achieve the goals presented by the planning committee.   Each team consisted of a student leader, faculty member, and at least four student members.  In the morning, teams worked at collecting clothing, toiletries, school supplies, books, money, non-perishable food, and gifts.  The collected items were sorted in classrooms and then transported to Timber Lake Christian.  The clothing, toiletries, school supplies, books and gifts were set up in a free store.

“The students really sacrificed quality items for the store.  There were new clothes with tags and recent electronic products.  I didn’t expect to see so much given, and I am thankful they grasped the purpose for today,” commented Lori Peter, Student Services Director.

The afternoon was also busy, with shopping for additional items needed for the food pantry and store, cooking a turkey dinner for the free evening meal under the direction of Bret Clancy, Pioneer Food Service Director at CCCB, and setting up for the store and banquet.  The free store was open from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

In the evening a team of students, faculty and staff served the food to the guests and other students.  Another team was in charge of cleaning the kitchen and gym while others visited and prayed with guests of the food pantry and free store.

Kelli Fuegen, Student Council secretary and liaison for the Saints Day of Service, had this to say about the day, “Overall the day went really well.  I was shocked at how much the student body got involved.  It was a great addition to our Student Revival Week where we talked about matters of the heart and behavior modification.”

Central Christian College of the Bible would like to thank Timber Lake Christian Church for their partnership in the Saints Day of Service.  Timber Lake Christian Church offers their food pantry to those in need the second Thursday of each month.