Smiths Minis ter to a Variety of Student Needs At the beginning of eve1y year, mailboxes on Harding's campus are filled with fliers telling of the campus minist1y program, which is a division of the College Church of Christ. Featured in these fliers is a kindlylooking couple named Dwight and Barby Smith. Dwight and Barby began ministering to campus students 12 years ago, after spending several years working with congregations in the northeast. Both had attended Harding arlier, and when they were offered the ministry in the fall of '81, they jumped at the chance . "We both thrive on the chall enges and fulfillment we get from doing our work," Dwight sa id. "We do occasiona lly put in long ho urs, but since we enjoy our work so much, and don't have any kids at home , it 's really not a problem. In fact , most of the time, it doesn 't even seem like a job." Among the many programs they sponsor are: The Crew, a ministry which does repair work and odd jobs for the e lde rly and widows in the communi ty; Letters for the Lord, a program in wh ich students send notes of encouragement to o ther students who have lost loved ones, are sick or in the hospital , or need notes of encouragement for various reasons ; SWAY(Students Worship Away), a program in which Harding students go to various congregations in Arkansas and help conduct Sunday evening services; and Home Bible Study, in which Harding faculty and College ch urch members have devotionals in their homes on Wednesday evenings. "We feel the Home Bible study program is an excellent program," Dwight said. "Right now, we have 18 different groups , with Dwight and Barby Smith catch up on some work in the office. Dwight and Barby had a great influence on man y Harding students because o f their love for the Lord and a love !o r the students. approximately 550 students who attend. Many students like the opportunity to worship in a more personalized , intimate setting than may be offered at some of th bigger worship services. " Dwight and Barby also: work with a program called Friends, in which students can be a big brother or a big sister to singleparent children in the community; conduct three meetings a seme ter with club devotional directors to assist them in their work; sponsor work sessions with His House , a benevolent ministry center of the College church which provides food, clothing, furniture , etc., for the needy in White County; and sponsor a program which provides services and transportation to international stud nts. In addition, just "being there to listen" and advise students takes up a large part of each clay. "Barby and I are so glad to be a part of the campus ministry here. " Dwight said , "We hope to be a part of it for years to come. " - Ryan Gjovig Paul Pruett - I l ou'>ton , TX Angela Quiroa - Loma~ de Hode, Guatema la Tara Rains - Anti och. T:'\ Lana Elise Ramsey-Memphis. TN Quentin Rance - .J effer~on, ·1x Chris Randolph - . Linle Rock , AR Elaine Raney - Searcy, AR Brian Rankin - , 1. Cloud. M Lenore Reda - I lt:rndon, VA Carol Reeves - se,ucy. AR Juniors 227
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