ETBU students honor MLK with day of service

East Texas Baptist University sophomores Brooke Dahman and Reid Adams sort canned goods at Mission Marshall's food pantry during a day of service.

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MARSHALL—More than 160 East Texas Baptist University students, faculty, and staff participated in service projects throughout the Marshall area as part of the National Day of Service in memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

ETBU MLK 300ETBU freshman Meghan Richey and sophomore Katee Muckleroy clean tables at Mission Marshall.ETBU volunteers worked at multiple locations, including Mission Marshall, the Boys & Girls Club of Hallsville, Dayspring Therapeutic Equestrian Center and My Friend’s House, a local homeless shelter and thrift shop.

“I heard from every one of our ministry partners about how blessed they were to have so many students serving with them,” said Lisa Seeley, director of global education and the Great Commission Center at ETBU. “Without the help of volunteers, many of these ministries would not be able to effectively serve the community. I am so thankful that ETBU students are stepping up to fill this need.”

ETBU MLK 250ETBU senior Dylan Augustine helps at the Boys and Girls Club by cleaning and reorganizing classroom space.Members of ETBU’s volleyball, women’s soccer, baseball, hockey, and men’s and women’s basketball teams all participated in the day of service.

“Our women’s basketball team really enjoyed serving at the Dayspring Therapeutic Equestrian Center,” Head Coach Edsel Hamilton said. “As Christians, we have a calling to serve others, and this was a great opportunity to do that. Dayspring has a wonderful ministry, so it was rewarding to be able to help an organization that gives so much to others.”

Students also participated in the 33rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade and banquet sponsored by the Harrison County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

“I love attending ETBU because our university leaders put an emphasis on service,” ETBU junior Austin Grant said. “Participating in the National Day of Service gave me the opportunity to serve others and the personal satisfaction of knowing that I supported both the memory of a great man and our local community.”

MLK Day festivities concluded with the Freedom Banquet at the Marshall Convention Center. Scott Bryant, vice president for spiritual development and university chaplain, represented ETBU in a panel discussion focused on working together to address needs in the area.

“It was an honor to join together with others in the community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who worked for nonviolent social change,” Bryant said.


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