UCC Student Ministries Blog

Streets of Pascagoula 4 years ago

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of hurricane Katrina touching the coast of MS, LA, TX, AL, & FL. This just so happened to hit a town and a church family(Central church of Christ) that we loved dearly from previous years of going and doing a VBS there. This of course was Pascagoula, MS.
Our college group, and other members of our church to include the youth group, made over 8 trips to this wonderful city that was almost completely wiped away by this enormous natural disaster. Each trip led to a stronger bond with our family there, and more and more people wanted to just stay when it was time to pack up and go.
One of the most amazing things about this place was how that the church refused to be worked on until all its members and the community had a chance to have their yards cleaned up, houses gutted, and remodeled or for most completely redone. The church turned over all the goods and money that came in to them, to the public to help them. There were a few men and women who gave up their jobs and worked on getting grants for the community, opened a restaurant where people could get free meals, got on the phone and started getting major donations brought in to help refurnish peoples houses. This church family literally poured themselves into a community that was suffering in ways that none of us could understand. People who had a normal life, woke up 4 years ago today to the cruel reality that they were homeless and without a job. You see not only were houses taken, but the places they worked as well.
John Dobbs was the preacher in the sleepy little town of Pascagoula, MS. His own house destroyed, but yet he filled the pulpit every Sunday morning in a storm damaged home to preach to the people that the Lord had rescued them, and that God’s grace, mercy, and love was outpouring over everyone in the community.
John Dobbs himself has written about this very anniversary and his reflections about that day over on his blog. He also has pictures and a video that really brings back memories for us as we walked those streets helping amazing people recover from something they could never control, and would never have asked for. So go check out John’s blog when you get the chance!

You will also see on that blog post that there is a picture of our amazing group. ha ha
SO PLEASE GO CHECK IT OUT!!!

L-R Philip, Jeff, Seth, Corey

Last Saturday, our beloved University church of Christ held it’s first annual golf tournament out at Pine Valley Golf Course in Sherwood, AR.
A group of us decided we were going to go mainly for the food and to just hang out with each other. Several of us enjoy trying to play golf, although we aren’t that good. We wanted to support our Church family since they support us so much, but we also wanted to support the cause. The money from the tournament goes to Southern Childrens Home in Morrilton, AR, and since we love that place we wanted to do what we could to help.
Seth was in a pretty rough car accident Friday morning, but was apart of the team. He showed up to putt since he couldn’t really grip a club. Other team members included Jeff Woods, Corey Estes, and Philip Young. We honestly didn’t think we would do that good, but between us all it turned out we make a pretty great team!
We took home a really nice prize, a brand new box of Callaway Big Bertha Balls(not sleeve…BOX).
We need a lot of practice, but I hope that we can keep coming back year after year to defend UCC Student Ministries honor on the greens!

This has been a very busy week as students are all moved in now and classes started Thursday.
We set up a booth on campus for a few days and get to meet a boku of students!

We have some cool stuff coming down the pipe for us in the next few weeks with bowling night, movie night, junk ball, service projects, etc…!!!

Cleft of the Rock started Wed night as we had Wings to Go take care of the food, and Seth Simmons gave us a lesson from Gen 22 about the journey of faith includes testing. We all know that when we came to college as freshmen it was a whole new world for us. We got to make out own decisions and become who we want to be. However, apart of that journey of becoming independent involves building our own faith. In order for this faith to grow and become what it needs to be, it will be tested by God. He tells us in Duet. 8:2 that there is a reason for His testing and it is to find out where our hearts are. In Gen 22 Abraham gets tested and we all find out pretty quick that his heart is all God’s.
So we have begun the journey! The year has started and things are well under way. We can always use your prayers as each and every college student needs them to remain strong and encouraged in their search for what they believe and why.