April 7, 2025
On Saturday, more than 300 students from East Texas Baptist University spread out across Harrison County to serve their neighbors during ETBU's annual Serve Day, a campus-wide initiative focused on living out the University's Christ-centered mission through acts of service.
"Serve Day is more than just a day of volunteering; it's a powerful way for our students to demonstrate the love of Christ to Marshall and East Texas communities in tangible ways," said ETBU President Dr. J. Blair Blackburn. Our mission calls us to prepare students not only academically and spiritually but also to challenge them to be servant leaders giving with their heart and hands."
Student-athletes, student leaders, and campus organizations partnered with local churches, ministries, and community centers to complete projects ranging from organizing food pantries to painting, and spending time with residents at assisted living facilities.
"It means the world to be able to serve the community and get to be a part of something bigger than myself," sophomore Christian ministry and mental health major Shilo Powell said. "It's even more beautiful when you look around and find many or few people by your side on the same mission, to reach the world with the grace and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It's truly a blessing that none of us are alone."
ETBU students engaged in a variety of service activities tailored to the needs of each location. In addition to painting and food pantry assistance, students helped prepare crafts and decorations for upcoming Vacation Bible Schools, assisted with a children's art class, and cleaned and organized church facilities. These hands-on tasks allowed students to support ministries that directly impact local families and children.
"I am blown away by our students," David Griffin, Dean of Spiritual Life, said. "We prepared for around 280 participants, but to see even more show up on a rainy Saturday morning speaks volumes about the heart of service within our Tiger Family. I especially want to thank Julie Silguero, our Spiritual Life graduate assistant, for her incredible leadership. She completely reworked the event in the final week to ensure everything could still happen despite the forecast. Her flexibility and dedication made the day possible."