Students bring God to others through unique innovations ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS BRING KNOWLEDGE, TRUTH Among the common interests of Harding students is the search for knowledge and truth. As an extension of that quest, Dr. Dale Manor and eight students founded the Society of Near Eastern Archaeology last year. "The students expressed an interest and it seemed like a good auxiliary to the Bible program, so we went ahead with it," Manor said. "The goal is to provide another avenue of education and instruction." The group, an academic club, focused on the archaeology of the Near East. "We get speakers for the meetings who talk about history, archaeology or actual digs they have been on," sophomore Cory Edwards said. "We also watch movies and go on field trips," junior Julia Bulissa said. In short, we "try to learn together," Edwards said. For Bible majors like senior Jesse Pettengill , "Archaeology is a cutting edge of scho larship; whatever is coming out of the fie ld is directly related to my field of study." Although the club is sti ll young, itis already accomplishing many things. "Our goal is to educate people in archaeology and to produce an archaeo logical newsletter, which is fully referenced with scriptures and can be used as a teaching aid," Pettengill said. The newsletter is sent at no cost to preachers and teachers across the country. Most importantly, being involved in the club helps the members in their walk with God. "It helps us to better understand theworld thatJesus lived in, and it provides a richer background to the events in the Bible," Manor said. "We rea lly get to see how different cultures worked and how they viewed God and it helps because we cannot see God," Bulissa said. "By studying the archaeology, it makes the biblical world, even thoughwe are so far removed from it, a lot more rea l and concrete," Edwards said. Thus far, the Society of Near Eastern Archaeology is fulfilling its purpose and students are expanding their horizons. "It helps us all to understand His word a little better; it makes the scripture come to li fe and makes us appreciate it more," Pettengill said. - Diane Grubbs Photo by sa lomon pjneda Andrew Baker watches as fellow Youth Corps members sign up for Operation Youth. Youth Corps allowed students to have a practical, hands-on setting to minister to young people and their families. Alva Liimatta and Laura Tollett, members o(JOY, share with Stella Price during their visit to ByrdHaven Nursing Home. JOYprovided various services /0 the community each year, including Special Olympics, Easter egg hunts, haunted houses and weekly nursing home visits. ... 242 ORGANIZATIONS
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