MBSF Hosts Christmas Party and Gives to a Good Cause

Commentary Editor

Photo by Candi Marshall

Home Again - James Taylor, home from doing work in Africa, ministers to the crowd about giving yourself. Taylor received a $6,000 check from the MBSF to aid in digging wells in Africa

   The Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship hosted a Christmas Party and gave to a good cause Dec. 10.

   The Christmas party brought in football players, Baptist Collegiate Ministry members, students and two special guests; James Taylor, a missionary home from Kenya, and Santa.

   In addition to enjoying good food and company, MBSF presented a $6,000 check to James Taylor, a missionary home from Kenya for the holidays. 

   During the semester, MBSF members and Rob Leonard, their director, hosted several events they said with hopes of raising money to fund their projects. Mission accomplished.

    Through collecting spare change, hosting fishing tournaments and private donors, MBSF collected Taylor money to go towards digging wells in Africa. The wells will provide village’s access to clean water.

   Micah Bateman, a junior studying speech said, “Tonight is special, we have a special guest all the way from Africa and we will present him with a $6,000 check to take back to Africa to dig wells.”

    Rob Leonard, the MBSF director introduced Taylor, who spoke about mission work in Africa.

   Taylor went to Africa in July 2008. While there he and other missionaries have planted churches and he said lives have been changed.

   Taylor encouraged the audience to “give yourself.” He said there is work to be done.

   The MBSF also collected boxes for Christmas boxes for children filled with toys.

   Working together with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, the organizations were involved in “Shoes for Orphan Soles.” This allowed them to buy shoes and send them around the world to those in need.

   The MBSF also plans to do mission work in 2010.

   During Spring Break 2010, MBSF members will be traveling to the inner cities of Cleveland, Ohio.

   In June 2010, MBSF of Conway and surrounding cities including Monticello, will journey to Kenya to do mission work. This mission is available to anyone who wants to go. Leonard encouraged everyone to seize the opportunity. He said the mission trips give our students access to different cultures.

   “Sometimes we are in a bubble because of all the things we have. Looking at different cultures, we see they find happiness in friendships and God rather than material things because a lot of them don‘t have those things. That‘s what God wants. The two greatest commandments are to love the Father and our neighbor,” Leonard said.

   He also said sometimes you feel as though nothing is happening when you are working for God but there is no effort too small for God to use.

    Leonard said, “God knows exactly what he is doing and he is calling us to more,” Leonard said.

   If interested in donating or joining MBSF on mission trips e-mail them at www.uammbsf.com.

   Africa wouldn’t be the only recipient of gifts that night. Senior MBSF member Richard Eberle presented Rob Leonard, the MBSF director, with an envelope full of money.

   “We (MBSF family) wanted to show you a token of our appreciation for everything you do. We thank you,” said Eberle.

   Eberle also gave a special thanks to Leonard’s wife who he said allows him (Leonard) to do the work he does. They told him to take her out to dinner with some of the money.

   The MBSF provided food for those in attendance. University of Central Arkansas alumni Brent Atkins was in attendance as well.

   “I came down to support Rob. He is my all-time favorite person. He is a devout Christian and a man of God. He is my role model,"  Atkins said.

   The last guest to appear was Santa. He said to the crowded room in a not-so-Santa voice, “Remember, I’ll um be at your houses soon.”

   As the MBSF band played, everyone fellowshipped with one another and took pictures with Santa.

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