By Emerson Thompson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” The words of 1 Peter 4:10-11 will serve as this year’s theme for Tiger Serve Day, calling Ouachita Baptist University students to be “Good Stewards” by serving others throughout the community of Arkadelphia.
Every semester at OBU, The Elrod Center holds “Tiger Serve Day,” an event that gives hundreds of students the opportunity to step outside themselves and serve the community of Arkadelphia. Students serve homeowners, non-profits, churches and local small businesses on this special Saturday. Projects range from yard work to other tasks that meet the needs of the community. Every project is different and every experience is different, but that is what makes Tiger Serve Day unique.
Jennifer Almand, who is now serving as The Elrod Center’s Program Coordinator, said the event gives students an opportunity to experience the joy that comes from serving others. “Our purpose for TSD is two-fold,” Almand said. “The most obvious reason is that we are serving, building relationships, and meeting needs within our community. Our students are getting a taste of the joy that comes from serving others and following through with God’s greatest commandments: loving God and loving others, we pray this instills a desire to be lifelong servants.”
Tiger Serve Day relies on more than just the students who serve. The Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team works behind the scenes to organize projects, communicate with volunteers and prepare teams to serve effectively. Zach Moore, this year’s projects chair and a senior christian studies major, said the event gives everyone involved an opportunity to give back.
“Tiger Serve Day seems to be an event where the more you get involved, the more you are helping other people succeed,” Moore said. “I love getting to help people help people.” Moore first participated in TSD as a freshman before joining the leadership team the following year. His experience has shaped his view of service and the relationship between OBU and Arkadelphia.
“I believe it is important to know the town that you are in and serve it and love it well,” Moore said. For Moore, serving the community is also a way for students to live out their faith. TSD gives students an opportunity to meet practical needs while showing others the love of Christ through their actions.
Moore said that the impact of TSD can extend beyond students’ time at OBU. He has watched former leadership team members such as Dani Schager, William White, JD Ross and countless others continue to serve and lead after they have graduated, showing him the lasting influence of the event.
As this year’s Tiger Serve Day approaches on September 26, both Almand and Moore encourage students to take part. Moore says, “Sign up. Tiger Serve Day is one of the best days of the year because we get to live out our faith in such a cool way. How often do you get to be part of an event where over 700 students get to help over 80 people in our community? The friendships that you gain by being part of a team that has the sole focus on helping somebody else is valuable.”
Tiger Serve Day is Saturday, September 26. Sign up a team or yourself at obu.edu/elrod/serve.
