Sophomore Nathan Dikerson and junior Erin Cook take notes during a lecture by Israeli archaeologist Gabrel Barkay in Cone Chapel on Oct. 22. The Society of Near Eastern Archaeology invited Barkay to speak to faculty and student sabout his work in Jerusa lem. Janae Callicoat Alpha Chi Malachi sponsor Devin Swindle speaks to students during a meeting on Nov. 4. Alpha Chi Malachi offered members advice on resumes and internships ·n ministry, and opportunites for mission work. Matt Dobson OUTREACH STUDENTS MINISTER DURING RETREAT Alpha Chi Malachi was a learning and service academic club made up primarily of Bible majors. The organization was founded in 1997 to promote spiritual growth and unity and to provide practical experience and training in preaching, teaching and serving. Alpha Chi Malachi held its Total Ministry Initiative retreat on Oct. 11-12, at Crowley's Ridge Youth Camp in Paragould, Ark. President of Alpha Chi Malachi and junior youth and family ministry major Christopher Jackson emphasized in meetings how the group could put practical lessons to use in order to serve others. The Total Ministry Initiative was a weekend retreat focused on equipping students with those practical ministry skills. "This event has been happening once a year for three years now," Jackson said. "The idea was to get out of a classroom setting and give Bible majors a chance to do something that they can gain experience from. Alpha Chi Malachi is about preparing students to be better ministers in their respective fields. Alpha Chi Malachi is not just for a certain kind of Bible major but for any student who wants to better serve in whatever situation God puts them in." Junior Bible and ministry major Shelby Coble joined Alpha Chi Malachi and the Total Ministry Initiative her freshman year. Coble's favorite part of being involved with Alpha Chi Malachi was the meetings where members addressed difficult issues. She appreciated the transparency of the staff with students during the discussions. Coble believed that the work done at the Total Ministry Initiative prepared the group for what was to come in fields of ministry. Students participated in a variety of activities during the retreat from team-building exercises, such as ropes courses, to visiting nursing homes and hospitals and leading church services at local churches. Sponsor of Alpha Chi Malachi and Professor of Bible and ministry Devin Swindle initially joined Alpha Chi Malachi when he was a student at Harding in the late gos. The late Professor of Bible Dr. Ken Neller recruited Swindle to be co-sponsor of the club when Swindle became a faculty member in 2008. Swindle and Jackson worked together to plan and organize the Total Ministry Initiative. "The life of ministry is the life of service," Swindle said. "We can do nothing better than our Lord did who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Ministry and service are inseparable and, therefore, must be taught and modeled as part of our preparation for ministers." Jackson believed that the natural response to God's love was to serve others, and he strove to make sure that Alpha Chi Malachi gave students that opportunity during the Total Ministry Initiative. "The retreat is such an important event for this group because it lets us use some of those practical lessons we've been learning in an environment where there is a lot of encouragement," Jackson said. "With peers and professors nearby, it can be a lot less intimidating to step into our discomfort zones and do some real hands-on ministry." Swindle wanted to ensure that through Alpha Chi Malachi, ministry students were offered the same types of experiences and jobs that he was offered when he attended Harding, plus many more. "It is encouraging to me to see so many talented students with a heart for service," Swindle said. Kristina Kiser
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