SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — “This is an incredible opportunity for our new students to realize the heart of Evangel University, when it comes to being a part of the Springfield community,” said EU Launch leader Joshua Little, a senior from Concord N.C.
On Saturday, Little led a team of new students working at Victory Square on North Broadway, where one of their projects was to move the men’s lockers and clean the floors and walls of the main hallway.
Groups of freshmen worked at two other Victory Mission locations on Saturday — the Victory Warehouse on West Chase and the Victory Vintage Shop on Commercial Street.
Evangel welcomed approximately 440 new students from around the world on Friday, Aug. 18, and Saturday was their traditional community service day, in partnership with Springfield-based Convoy of Hope and Elevate Lives.
Several hundred new Evangel students volunteered primarily in the Zone 1 neighborhoods on Saturday, starting at 10:30 a.m. and working through the afternoon.
A bus-load of students worked at the Fairbanks Community Center on North Broadway.
That historic neighborhood elementary school has been converted to a community center, and there was plenty of work to be done, according to Christy Rowden, director of student activities at Evangel.
Projects at Fairbanks included construction, landscaping and cleaning.
Daymond Beckett is a freshman marketing major from Kansas City, Mo., who quickly volunteered to help drill into the concrete blocks and install new shelving in a room adjacent to the renovated auditorium.
“I’m pretty good with my hands,” he said. “I’ve had experience in construction and saw this as the best way I could help.”
His work was greatly appreciated.
“This is a big day for us,” said Jeremy Hahn, pastor of Life360 Church at the Fairbanks, and vice president of Life360 Community Services. “The work of the Evangel students has gone a long way toward helping our small team catch up on maintenance and beautification projects.”
Hahn has a heart for the community and is a life-long Northsider — he graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1998 and from Evangel in 2002.
“These students’ good work gives a sense of dignity and excitement to the community that goes here,” said Hahn. “This work frees us up to concentrate on the relationship side of the ministry.”
Weller Elementary is the closest public school to Evangel. Principle Rebecca Donaldson appreciates the fact that faculty and students at Evangel have had a long-term commitment to working with the Weller staff.
“Education majors, social work majors and student athletes alike volunteer on a regular basis, both at the school and through the neighboring Boys & Girls Clubs,” she said.
On Saturday, her staff benefited from three teams of students — one working inside painting a classroom, another preparing the educational garden beds outside for next season, and a third helping prepare classroom materials.
Other teams of new students served at Weaver Elementary School, the Vineyard Church and at the Convoy of Hope warehouse on South Paterson.
“We are thrilled to once again work with our students to impact the Springfield community,” said Rowden. “Such service is an important part of the Evangel mission and experience.”
Classes for Evangel begin on Wednesday morning, August 23.
For a detailed schedule of Evangel’s five days of EULaunch, visit: https://www.evangel.edu/upcoming_events/2017/05/09/eu-launch/
PHOTOS BY: Paul K. Logsdon
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August 19, 2017 — PRE-EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT SENT AT 10:30 a.m.
Today is Evangel’s service day with Convoy of Hope, Elevate Lives
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Evangel University welcomed approximately 440 new students from around the world yesterday (Friday, Aug. 18, 2017), and today is their traditional community service day, in partnership with Springfield-based Convoy of Hope and Elevate Lives.
Students are joining forces today with several area churches and are serving in the Zone 1 neighborhoods.
Busloads of students started dispersing from in front of Evangel’s chapel at 10:15 a.m.
Many students will be working at the Fairbanks Community Center, 1126 N. Broadway. That historic neighborhood elementary school has been converted to a community center, and there is plenty of work still to be done there, according to Christy Rowden, director of student activities at Evangel.
Teams of Evangel students will also be working at Weller Elementary School, 1630 N. Weller Ave.; Weaver Elementary School, 1461 N. Douglas; and three locations for Victory Mission — their Victory Warehouse, 700 W. Chase St.; Victory Vintage Shop, 824 W. Commercial; and Victory Square, 1610 N. Broadway; and approximately 100 new students will be working at the Convoy of Hope warehouse, 330 S. Paterson Ave.
In addition, smaller groups will be working at Vineyard Church, 634 W. Wall; and Life 360 International Church, 1349 W. Meadowmere.
“We are thrilled to once again work with Convoy of Hope and Elevate Lives to impact the Springfield community,” said Rowden. “Such service is an important part of the Evangel mission and experience.”
For a detailed schedule of Evangel’s five days of EULaunch, visit: https://www.evangel.edu/upcoming_events/2017/05/09/eu-launch/