"It's not just about giving someone food or money for an electric bill. It's about understanding where they are coming from and helping them understand a culture that is different so they can be productive in society and not have to depend on systems that are flawed."
Misty Scott ('97) didn't know how or where the Lord was going to use her when she was a student at ETBU. She just knew He would.
"I had friends who knew they were called to be a pastor or a youth pastor, and I spent a lot of years being envious because they knew exactly what God had called them to do," Misty said. "All I knew was I was called to be a minister wherever He placed me."
For the last six years, that place has been Mission Marshall. Serving as the Executive Director, Misty develops programs to strengthen families, empower economic development, and provide reading enhancement in the Marshall community.
"Our work at Mission Marshall is about changing the culture," Misty said. "It's not just about giving someone food or money for an electric bill. It's about understanding where they are coming from and helping them understand a culture that is different so they can be productive in society and not have to depend on systems that are flawed. We are invested for the long haul."
Misty says she knows Mission Marshall is doing its job when she is greeted by guests out in the community.
"People ask me, 'How do you know you are building trust within the community?', and I tell them I know it when I go to Kroger and I have clients running across the parking lot to give me a hug," Misty said. "That is a huge indicator of success to me because it means we have removed shame from their experience. When you boil it all down, what we do is about building relationships."
Misty, the recipient of the 2018 ETBU Good Samaritan Award, credits her involvement in ETBU Baptist Student Ministry and the influence of University mentors for giving her the confidence to navigate difficult things in ministry.
"The relationships I formed at ETBU are the epitome of iron sharpening iron," Misty said. "We were able to learn from each other and had the freedom to make mistakes and become better because of those mistakes. It was a safe place for all of us to grow as ministers and people."