cover story

cover story WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 3

Refuge leaders magnify glory of God in service

“There are lots of places around the world where people would literally die to have the opportunity to have that many Christians in one place,” said Colton Miller, a senior Christian studies major and one of this semester’s Refuge speakers.

Miller had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at Refuge last semester. Shortly before Christmas break, James Taylor, the Campus Ministries director, asked him to consider taking on the position of this semester’s second Refuge speaker. After prayerful consideration, Miller accepted and joined the Refuge team.

This semester he will lead alongside last semester’s main speaker Madison Burch. Burch is a senior Christian studies major with an emphasis in Christian ministry. Miller and Burch both hope to work in some kind of church ministry following graduation.

Over her college career, Burch can trace the Lord preparing her for Refuge leadership. Freshman year, her mentor was a Refuge speaker. The following year, her then boyfriend, now fiancé, served as one of the Refuge speakers. God let her see behind the scenes and helped her to indirectly invest in the ministry and position.

Leading peers in Bible study is an honor, but it comes with a heavy weight of responsibility.

“I don’t want to say anything heretical,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of pressure, too, with acknowledging I am not the most knowledgeable or most equipped person for this position.”

He accepted the position with great humility and aims to lead in the same manner. Burch similarly acknowledges this great responsibility that comes with the position. “It’s a lot of pressure because you are handling God’s Word,” BY RYLEE ROBERTS Staff Writer

Burch said. “You are teaching and training people in what they believe about God and scripture.”

While students see Burch and Miller on stage once a week, they do not see the intense labor that happens behind the scenes. With potential for miscommunication, ever-present, critical study must be done of each preached passage.

Along with their exegesis, Burch and Miller meet with Taylor to discuss their sermon texts before preaching. They do not take their roles lightly as they lead their peers in pursuit of faith.

Miller and Burch each spent their college summers working at camp. Their experiences shaped them and prepared them in different ways.

Burch served two summers working for Kanakuk at the K-7 camp. During her first year, she led a group of eighth and ninth grade girls each week. Because Burch experienced immense growth in her walk with the Lord at a similar time in her life, she took care to build up her campers as best she could. When she returned for a second summer, Burch was promoted to a Unit Coordinator position. She had to learn how to healthily confront people in times of conflict. Enforcing rules instead of just following them helped her learn to let go of what people might think about her after she gave constructive criticism.

“Sometimes it is necessary for us to say the harder things in order to build God’s Kingdom further,” Burch said. “I think the church has a bad habit of neglecting to say the hard things or talk about the more difficult topics that seem darker or like they might hit too close to home for some people.”

Burch understands the need to talk about passages that are often overlooked in church because the body can benefit from them.

Miller also felt prepared for Refuge by his camp jobs and school experiences. He spent his college summers working at Camp Siloam and plans to return again this summer to lead a discipleship and leadership program for high school students. Throughout his time at camp, Miller learned the power of consistency. With more fervency than any other time in his life, Miller met with God daily on a deep, personal level.

“I attribute most of the fruit the Lord has brought about in my life to consistency, whether that’s beSeniors Colton Miller and Madison Burch are extremely enthusiastic about this semester of Refuge. They both have prayed that God will move in big ways on campus. (photo by Justin Trostle)

ing with Him in His Word or by being with other believers,” Miller said.

As Miller approaches his final semester at Ouachita, he is asking the Lord to use him.

“I hate for people to be alone,” Miller said. “If there is anything the Lord could do through me this semester, I would want Him to show people they are not alone in what they are walking through.”

Miller and Burch alike have hearts for people, wanting to continually invest in them and provide them with community. Fellowship is part of what Burch values in Refuge. It provides a connection as students come together for the same purpose: to worship. They can ride together and talk about it afterwards. Having healthy accountability in relationships with fellow believers while following God on a daily basis is a biblical concept for sharpening the body of Christ, and Refuge is a refreshing experience that highlights biblical community in these ways.

“These are things we think are exceptional about our camp experiences, but the body of Christ is supposed to be living like this every day,” Burch said. “We simply stop when we get back to our busy schedules.”

Burch loves to hear how God speaks through her to people or ways that God uses her. Affirmation like that reminds her that the work is worth it. She loves to see people passionately following the Lord, pursuing their faith seriously, and asking hard questions

“Refuge is one little piece of what the Lord’s doing on campus,” Burch said.

During his time at Ouachita, Miller has participated in the Men of Eta Alpha Omega, serving as their philanthropy chair last semester. He also served as a Life Group leader his junior year and a resident’s assistant in Flippen-Perrin dorm his sophomore year. He also participates in a weekly home group.

Burch has also been active on and off campus in her three years. She serves as a tutor for the Academic Success Center. She has participated in the Women of EEE and served as their chaplain last year. Burch was also a part of Ouachita’s cheer team her first two years. Off campus, she has worked with the youth girls at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia.

news PAGE 4 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM

Two-Stepping into spring

Campus Ministries’ new student ministry team will host another Two-Step Tuesday on Feb. 11 from 7-9 p.m. in the Tiger Den.

After seeing the success TwoStep Tuesday had in the fall, Lila Buchanan, a senior psychology major from Benton, collaborated with her team to host it in the spring semester. Students new and old continue to enjoy the event each year, so Buchanan concluded that more Two-Step Tuesdays were in order.

Buchanan, the new student ministry leader for Campus Ministries, decided to get involved with this ministry after realizing her deep passion for the freshman class and her desire to make them feel as welcomed as she felt her freshman year.

After serving as a WOW leader her sophomore year, Buchanan discovered her desire to minister to new students.

“I love the energy and life that the freshman class brings to campus,” Buchanan said. “When the older students see the new students, in a way we get to relive our freshmen experience all over again. They are always so excited, and everything is so new to them.” Buchanan especially appreciates the relationships her position allows her to build with the freshman class and the students serving alongside her.

Two-Step Tuesday was intentionally created to be an entertaining event that offers a setting for fellowship and inclusion among students of all classes.

“We want to provide a fun and new way for people to get to know each other and try something new, even to the point of feeling comfortable dancing with a stranger,” Buchanan said. BY VALERIA GOMEZ Staff Writer Ouachita students prove their enjoyment of dance parties by the great turnouts at the typical events occurring throughout the year, but line-dancing provides a new opportunity for people to express themselves in a different way.

“I think it is one of those things that people really enjoy but do not always get the opportunity to do,” Buchanan said. “Some people may want to learn but have never had an opportunity to.”

Campus Ministries will promote the event on social media as the date approaches, sharing pictures from the full room of students dancing at last year’s event.

Freshman Kallen Smith found out about the new student ministry event last semester through WOW week and attended with a group of his new college friends.

“There were so many people from different classes and social clubs,” Smith said. “I remember how crowded it was as we all danced together and really had a blast.”

Smith found the event helpful for making new friends and cherished memories. He met upperclassmen and Campus Ministry leaders that helped him learn how to get involved in the future. He also used the event to bond with the freshman class.

Smith encourages everyone to attend the event to spend time with people outside their normal social circles.

“Take a break from homework, de-stress, and learn some dances,” Smith said.

Dates are welcome but not necessary. In the same way, dressing in Western wear is encouraged, but not required to have a good time. It can be a time to try something new, learn fun dances, have fun with your friends and meet new people. Admission is free, and no previous dance experience is necessary. with OBU Campus Ministries

CFW promotes ‘Testifying’ Gospel Senior Sean Carney adds to the mural painted by various students at the Art & Worship event at this year’s Christian Focus Week. Students painted, worshiped and fellowshipped at the event Tuesday evening. (photo by Hannah Oliver)

BY ADDY GOODMAN Copy Editor

Ouachita’s annual Christian Focus Week (CFW) began this past Monday. Planned and presented by the office of Campus Ministries, the week centers around the theme of “Testify” from Acts 20:24. Throughout the week, students are invited to participate in break-out sessions, worship nights, and Godly conversation. Christian Focus Week will end on Friday with worship and a sermon by First Baptist Church Arkadelphia’s pastor, Rev. Jimmy Darby, and a live-music coffee house in the student center. CFW has been a staple at Ouachita for decades, dedicating this time each year to furthering faith. This tradition was one of the drawing factors for both CFW ministry leaders: Mercedes Svercauski, a senior speech communications major from Hot Springs, and Jack Bennington, a junior communications and Christian studies double major from Arkadelphia.

“CFW was something that I had heard of [from alumni] before I was even on campus,” Bennington said. “Specifically, one of my really good friend’s mom had a friend who found salvation at CFW thirty-something years ago. Hearing those stories made me realize that what some see as having a little impact can actually do so much for so many people in a short amount of time. That’s why I applied for this job.”

Svercauski and Bennington applied to be CFW ministry leaders last spring. Once they were chosen, they immediately began the almost year-long process of planning the week.

After conducting post-CFW evaluations from last year and discussing the results, the job was handed over to the ministry leaders to begin official planning. Meeting weekly with James Taylor, the director of Campus Ministries, the duo decided on a theme in August. “Originally, we had another theme that we were confident about,” Svercauski said. “But then we regrouped and this scripture, Acts 20:24, was mentioned. It talks about Paul and testifying to the grace of God, and while originally that didn’t fit into our plan, it all eventually made complete sense. In that final meeting of deciding a theme, I just felt the grace of Jesus Christ in that moment.”

Throughout the school year, Svercauski and Bennington noted that there was a constant to-do list of preparation. This year’s CWF will feature 19 events, all of which required strategic planning, including finding guest speakers, worship leaders and volunteers. One of the largest aspects of the CFW preparation is working with Taylor to decide on which guest speakers to invite, as they are the primary source of carrying out the theme and purpose of the week.

“I was contacted last fall about speaking this week,” Darby said. “I was so excited when James Taylor told me the theme for the week was ‘Testify.’ For my session on Friday, I’ll be talking about the role that love plays in testifying about Jesus…we should testify about God because we are so in love with God.”

During this week of study and worship, the university has canceled various classes in order to allow students to attend break-out sessions.

“It’s become a staple on campus,” Svercauski said. “And I pray that while it isn’t the week that people immediately think of looking forward to, they allow Jesus to impact them. I’m looking forward to the work I know He is going to do.”

CFW will end this Friday and is free and open to both students and the community.

WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 5 NEWS

BY SARA PATTERSON News & Opinions Editor

Ouachita hosted the Miss Ouachita Baptist University Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Jones Performing Arts Center. After the night of competition, Elizabeth Steely was named 1st runner up, Danielle Hall received 2nd runner up, Melody Stotts received 3rd runner up and Katie Kumpuris received 4th runner up. Caroline Derby, a freshman mass communications and political science double major from Arkadelphia, won the title of Miss OBU. For Derby, this title fulfills a long-held childhood dream.

Derby grew to love Ouachita at a young age through her experience as the daughter of an OBU football coach.

“Being an Arkadelphia native, I grew up on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University. I would ride my scooter on the sidewalks outside of the student center and I started watching OBU football games when I was two months old,” Derby said.

Derby found that she could combine her love for Ouachita with her passion for pageants by participating in the Miss OBU competition. “I grew up admiring Miss OBU and everything she stood for. Miss OBU got to represent Ouachita, the best place on Earth, and I dreamed of getting to fulfill that role one day,” Derby said.

Derby prepared and competed in Miss OBU with this childhood dream in mind, but with an awareness that there is more to the dream than a title that attracts accolades: it is a ministry.

“As I was preparing for Miss OBU, I kept reminding myself that this is not just a crown, but an opportunity to share the Gospel and share my heart with all of Ouachita and every person I would come Ouachita crowns Caroline Derby Miss OBU into contact with,” Derby said. “A close friend of mine told me, never pray to win, never pray not to lose, but pray for anointed moments. I prayed for an anointed moment and for the girl who would represent Ouachita for the next year.” Derby’s social impact platform focusing on achieving one’s dreams especially serves Ouachita’s demographic.

“Through my Social Impact Initiative, ‘Aspire to Achieve: Ready, Set, Go!’ I encourage people of all ages to chase after their dreams and achieve their goals. Be ‘Ready’- Caroline Derby, overcome with emotion, accepts the title of Miss Ouachita Baptist University. Derby is excited to live out her dream and faithfully serve Ouachita this year. (photo by Justin Trostle)

find out what you’re passionate about. Get ‘Set’- set a goal and develop a plan of action. Lastly, ‘Go’- follow through with your plan and go achieve your dreams. I hope I can encourage people to believe in themselves and to be confident in their dreams,” Derby said.

Many Ouachita students as well as younger students in the Arkadelphia community need the motivation and insight that Derby champions through her platform and will promote as Miss OBU.

Once the three stages of competition - on-stage interview, talent, and evening wear and social impact statement - were complete, award announcements began. Awards for various categories, such as academic success, congeniality and specific stages of competition, were given first.

Lastly, Derby was announced and crowned as the new Miss OBU.

“I was ultimately shocked and honored,” Derby said. “There were so many emotions going on at the same time; I’m not sure I could describe each one of them. So many tears of happiness, gratitude, responsibility, faithfulness and joy were streaming down my face. I hugged Julie Williams, a woman that I have looked up to for many years, and I am honored to call her my friend. She left a legacy of greatness as Miss OBU and I hope to continue that legacy during my reign.”

Derby is confident that she could not have accomplished this goal without the help of her family and friends.

“There are numerous people that I need to thank. So many people cheered me on from the audience, sent me texts of encouragements, and believed in me every step of the way. Mom, Dad and Anna are my constant supporters. They’ve been there in times of joy and in times of defeat, and I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for me,” Derby said.

Derby is also thankful for the place that made this dream come alive for her as a child and has continued to sustain that passion to this day: Ouachita Baptist University. “I’ve always considered Ouachita my first home, and to represent the people and place that shaped me into the Caroline that I am today, is one of the greatest honors of my entire life. Thank you for letting me serve you, my beloved Ouachita,” Derby said.

Derby now has the unique experience of living in a reality that was formerly her lifelong dream, though it still feels like a dream to her at this point.

As Miss Ouachita Baptist University, Derby plans to give back to the campus as a whole.

“Ultimately, I want to love on Ouachita. I want to watch our ‘Queen of the College World’ thrive and grow throughout my year as well.,” Derby said.

Derby will compete as Miss OBU at the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant this upcoming June.