Service and community are two vital parts of Andrews University. As an Adventist institution, we believe in representing the love of Jesus through our actions of providing for others. The Center for Faith Engagement (CFE) is an essential branch of Andrews University that provides these opportunities of service for students and employees alike through events like Service Sabbath.
Service Sabbaths generally occur on the first Sabbath of the month. Participants partake in varying activities such as attending Our House of the Way, the local Benton Harbor soup kitchen, and helping to prepare, package and distribute meals. The CFE has also collaborated with Story Point Nursing Home in Mishawaka, allowing students to provide music and an afternoon of engaging board games for the elderly community. These services often take place around late afternoon, and co-curricular credit is provided! In order to get involved, follow @austudentmissions on Instagram, where the CFE posts reminders and extra information on upcoming activities. Individuals, whether they be students, employees, or community members, are able to sign up using the link in the bio. The upcoming two Service Sabbaths for this semester are going to take place on Nov. 1 and Dec. 6.
In addition to Service Sabbaths, the CFE also offers other opportunities for the university to partake in. Recently, they held a Sunday morning program called Christmas Behind Bars, where 7,000 bags were packaged in order to be sent to inmates who may not have a family caring for them during these holidays. They hold impactful events ranging in simplicity from blood drives to long-term missions. Rebecca Fanai, student missions and service program director, explained the impact of prioritizing service, especially for college students. She hopes that these service opportunities can teach students that “whatever career [they] end up choosing… there is an outlet and an avenue [where] they can always serve; they can always find time to give back to the community.”
These opportunities to serve are an excellent way to devote a Sabbath afternoon or extra time between classes and studying. There are endless events, and the CFE is always looking for additional hands to help. These events allow individuals to participate in the community and understand the growing need to serve, as well as the incredible impact one person can make.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.