\S~~O~i~~c:~~~e~ ~~ seem related but are not obviously caused one by the other. T his is a phenomenon found often in namre and occasionally in the lives of h uman beings, bur in the case of Wryl an~ Reed, a junior ministry major, synch roni city was enough co make him change his entire life's plan in order to follow a calling. Reed began his academic career as a math and physics major, but after attending Spring Valley Chu rch one Sunday morning, he decided a life change was in order. The topic ofthe lesson was ministry opportunities in China, a subject Reed had previously been interested in after hearing a similar presentacion in chapel. After that message, Reed began spending time with the Chinese students on campus, and what was firs t just an opportunity CO find out more about the culture, quickly changed to a new life of mission and ministry. He and his friends invited rhe studenrs to watch movies on Friday nights in the Mcln teer building and also took those who were interested to church on Sunday mornings. " I had always thought that the Scriptures • Chinese and American students participate in the Chinese service Sept. 17 in Shores Chapel. Many students and faculty joined Chinese exchange students on Sunday momings toworship together: -Chelsea Roberson tions service brings cultures together were the only way to minister," Reed said. "But 1learned that all we can do is plant the seed and let God do the rest." So many Chinese studems became inrerested in going to church that Reed and his friends began holding their own services in Shores Chapel. There were more than 30 people in attendance on the first Sunday and the n.umber stayed ste..dy through the rest of the spring semester. May Cao, a junio r Engli sh major from China, became friends with Reed during the spring of 2006 while she was taking language training classes. Cao, who now refers to Reed as her brother, said he was very helpful to her and her friends when they first arrived at school, whether providing transportation to Wal-Mart or explaining things to them from their Bible classes. "Whenever we had problems, he would show up and try his best to fix it," Cao said. "I guess everyone who knows him would say he is a good fellow, a diligenr student, and, above all, a loyal and helpful friend." As summer approached, Reed decided to stay in Searcy in order to keep the services going for the Chinese students remaining on ca,,,p'"'> through the break. Staying in town meant finding a job, and after much prayer, Reed was hired by a local ChurCh( to work 40 hours a week. T hese hours gave him plenty of time to spend with the Chinese studems during the evenings and on weekends. "I spent all my waking hours ministering," Reed said. "Everything I saw happeni ng was nothing bur good. I learned how to serve; I learned how [0 love." Through the synchronicity of a coupl e presentations, a few interested friends and much prayer, Reed was able to influence the lives of many students on campus, both Chinese and American. With more than80Chinese students on campus and more than 60 people regularly attending the Sunday morning worship service, Reed spent much of his time taking Chinese lessons, trying to light the same fire in others that had been sparked inside of him and conrinuing his plans to live in China with a group of students after graduating in January of2008. -J. Cliff Ganus
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