UAM Religious Organizations Join Together for One Purpose

Commentary Editor

Photo by Candi Marshall

One Purpose- Junior baseball player Chris Kirkscey lifts his hands in worship at the One God celebration hosted by BCM, MBSF and the Wesley Foundation. Kirkscey is a transfer student from Harding University.

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s religious organizations hosted a party on Comet Cleaners’ parking lot Sunday, Oct. 25.

   The event provided live entertainment, free food, free admission and cardboard testimonies.

   The Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Wesley Foundation and the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship came together to celebrate one God. Comet Cleaner’s parking lot became the format for the direction each group plans to ahead.

   The idea of an outside concert came about while in their usual group meeting. Members of each organization threw around ideas about ministry.  Harding University transfer student, Chris Kirkscey, also a junior baseball player, suggested the idea of having a concert outside. Kirkscey was involved in a similar event at his former school. The idea was a go and they began to look for a place to host the event.

   A Comet Cleaner employee said he was excited about the idea when it was presented to him.

   “Anything to get young people involved with Christ I’m all for it,” he said. He did not want his name to be mentioned because he said it was not about publicity for him but promoting what the students were doing.

    Rob Leonard, the MBSF director said their reason for hosting this event off-campus was to share the good news about God.

   “We have kept our faith inside the four walls for too long. It’s time to share with the world how good God is,” Leonard said.

   He also said the event was also beneficial to each organization, giving them an opportunity to say “I’m not ashamed of my salvation.”

   Band members from the BCM and MBSF provided the entertainment as well as testimonies. Members testified to once being an Atheist to now surrendering to God’s call of  being a Youth Pastor. This led to “cardboard testimonies.” 

   Cardboard testimonies gave each willing person a chance to share how God changed their lives. The audience lined up and began to share with others how God delivered them from alcohol, low self-esteem and more as songs like “I Surrender All,” played in the background.

   Leonard said he felt their goal of breaking away from being “closet Christians” was accomplished. Numerous people showed up and people drove by looking. A Police Officer came out and informed them of complaints in the Tanglewood area of Monticello.

   After the concert was over Leonard said to the audience, “People are going to ask you about what was going on at Comet Cleaners. Just tell them, there were a bunch a Christians up there and God has changed their lives and he can change yours too.”

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