DBU Students Serve for MLK Jr. Day

Dallas, TX - Seventy-nine students from Dallas Baptist University spent Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day serving around the Metroplex, in recognition of the civil rights leader who taught about the importance of volunteering and making a positive impact on communities. Coordinated through DBU's Center for Service-Learning, the students served at four different locations.

The men's basketball team volunteered at Brother Bill's Helping Hand, a local faith-based non-profit agency that meets the medical, physical, educational, and social needs of area residents. The student-athletes helped clean shelves in the grocery store and restocked food and giveaway items.

"I think going to Brother Bill's today was a great way to observe MLK day," said freshman Myles Johnson. Dr. King was a man who truly valued giving back and putting others first. Going and helping out today reminded me of how important those things are."

Several students volunteered with Cornerstone Baptist Church in downtown Dallas to serve during the MLK Day March and Parade that traveled directly in front of the church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The students handed out bottled waters to parade attendees before the parade and then served lunch to community members, including many homeless in the area, following the event. The church used this opportunity to share the love of Christ with residents.

Senior Lindsay Cox enjoyed the opportunity to visit with people and share her faith. For me, going out and talking to complete strangers about God is difficult," she expressed. However, that day, God gave me a boldness that surprised me, I did not even feel like myself, but it was awesome! God moved in my heart and just challenged me to see everyone through His eyes, and to see them how He sees them."

Another group of students went to Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment, where they spent the morning raking leaves, cleaning out a swimming pool, and doing various landscaping jobs around the camp.

Students also partnered with Angel Wing Ministries to put together gifts for local nursing home residents. They met at the DBU Hurst-Colleyville campus to assemble the floral arrangements and then traveled to Richland Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to deliver them to the residents.

Throughout the day, in their various areas of service, the DBU students embodied the servant leadership principles that are emphasized by the University. They became the hands and feet of Jesus, serving in unique ways to support local ministries and touch the lives of those in the community.