Hardi Raking leaves, mowing lawns and visiting the elderly were only a few of the services provided to the citi– zen s of Searcy through the student– led network, Harding in Ac tion. Com ing together for the first time this fall, more than 50 students said they would be willing to commit their time and energy to serving others through this organization . HIA worked closely w ith a rea chu rch es to seek and meet the needs of those in the community. Members of the organi zation rec– ognized that many students felt the call to serve those in need, but did not know where to start. HIA set up camp at the Campus Ministry house and chose the mis– sion, "to serve Searcy in the name of Jesus." Because of their association w ith Campus Ministry, anyone was free to present a need . After the ap– propriate form was filled out, avail– able studen ts were notified to go into action. By fulfilling va rious needs in th e community, the student network was able to reach out to elderly and those Sophomores Shelly Roberts and Jenny Stalter relax before a Divine Property meet– ing. Divine Property sought to provide op– portunitiesfor spiritual growth for women at Harding. (Photo by Lindsey Taliaferro) Junior Erin Reed paints a Kensett girl's face at Fall Fest Oct. 19. The service orga– nizations came together with the Bible or– ganizations. the Student Association and the student body to sponsor the annual event. (Photo by Renee Lewis) • • 194 organizations Hdion who did not know the name of Jesus. More than just ya rd work, the orga– nization offered babysitting, tutor– ingand Biblestudies. Any need could be p resented and those who we re part ofHIA did the best they could to help those requesting aid. HIA faced a problem, however. Because the group was in its first year of existence, many people in Searcy did not have any knowledge of the group. According to sen ior Marcus Moore, director of HIA, many people in need found the stu– dent-led g roup through announce– ments made at local churches, flyers the students posted, business cards and word of mouth. "Every time Igo down th e list and make phone calls to ask for students to take care of a particular project, I am incredibly impressed w ith the willingness and the desire that these people have to help others," Moore said. "This is a group of really qual– ity people." While those who created HlA de– signed it to spur Christians on to– wa rd love and good deeds, they also had an underlying mission of minis– tering to those who d.id not knowJesus. "We are getting in touch with a lot of non-Christians th rough the Bible studies," juniorChad Miller said . ';It's provided some good contact with people that Harding hasn't been able to get to, for wha tever reason it may have been." According to Miller, HlA worked to introduce those wanting to serve to those in need of service. ''I'm really excited about its poten– tial," Miller said. "The way it is now getting started, a lot of people don't really know about it yet, but the ones who have found it reall y apprecia te it." Dwight Smith, HIA sponsor, said those who have seen the group work– ing in theCampus Ministry housewere also confiden t of the group's potential. They saw the willingness of the stu– dents and their desi.re to simply serve others in the name of Christ. liT think that HlA will remain a good thing if the students continue to pursue it," Smith said. -Ryan Saul
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