MISSIONS PIPERS LEAD STUDENT ABROAD H arding's improvisational children's theater group Pied Pipers began performing in 1988. Around 1992, the group expanded its reach by performing for children in other English-speaking countries like Scotland and England. The performers traveled to congregations and schools near Aberdeen and Falkirk, Scotland. After the summer 2013 Scotland tour, senior Piper member Blake Hunter was presented with a unique opportunity to join an Aberdeen-based congregation, which purchased six visas to bring a mission team to the area. Hunter was immediately attracted by the possibility of sharing Christ in a place near to his heart. "I felt like God was just sort of putting it out there because I've always not really felt like I knew what I wanted to do with my life," Hunter said. "This is just something that I have the talents and abilities to do." Hunter and five other team members planned to set up Bible clubs at schools where they could share Bible stories and lessons as well as engage the children in games and activities. Hunter also intended to use his three-year stint in Aberdeen to strengthen the youth outreach program by demonstrating the relevance and importance of Christianity to the students. "They've never had anyone to focus on the youth," Hunter said. "It's an established church, but they just keep losing youth." Hunter maintained communication with the congregation after he returned from the Pipers trip, going through a series of interviews before committing to the job. He worked to raise financial support from churches and to recruit other members to join the mission team, an effort made easier by spending his last year surrounded by peers at Harding. "I've already had the chance to talk to some people who Senior Laura Jo Sawyer interrupts junior Jake Owens in the skit "Magic Tricks" during aTheatron performance at Uplift on June 30. The Uplift show was a part of the group's ONE tour that took them to more than 1 o states over the summer. Courtesy of Carter Wright Sophomore Baleigh Hinrichsen, junior Kaitlyn Perring, senior Scotti Beth Lawson, sophomore Kalyn Hunter and senior Blake Hunter practice their skit, "Enos," on Sept. 24. Pied Pipers performed shows at campus events including Impact, Homecoming and Spring Sing. Janae Callicoat are looking at going," Hunter said. "It'd be easier if I knew them than to work with someone they find in like Texas or something." Hunter said his friends and family were very encouraging and excited for this opportunity. They recognized his heart for missions and supported him in his decision. Fellow Piper senior Emily Owens, who traveled to Scotland twice with Hunter, said she was not surprised to hear that Hunter had agreed to work there. "He has the ability to reach out and connect with a lot of different kinds of people," Owens said. "Because the church is so small, being involved means you'll be working with all different kinds of people." Sophomore Jonathan Andrew, another Piper who worked extensively with Hunter, was also confident in Hunter's ability to succeed in the field he chose. "He is the type of person that when he sees a need that has to be met, he'll go for it and go for it 100 percent," said Andrew. As he finished his time at Harding and his time with Pipers, Hunter hoped to prepare himself mentally and spiritually for his upcoming commitment. Owens said Pipers would be there to build him up before he left. "I think there is going to be a lot of room for doubt and questioning," Owens said. "It's great that we have a whole year with him to just pray over that and to prepare with him." Although mission work was a far cry from Hunter's initial intention to attend graduate school, his decision to return to Scotland felt right. "I want to be used by God," Hunter said. "So why not take a leap of faith and do it?" Shelby Moore
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