Ministry
For a follower of Jesus Christ, service isn’t a burdensome task to be grudgingly “checked off” or an optional offer we can choose to ignore. Instead, it’s an awesome privilege and an undeniable honor. It is with this attitude of respect and humility that Champion students seek to impact the community, the country, and ultimately the world. Below are some of the pathways by which our students can make a difference, whether across the street or across the globe.
If we want to change the world, we must not overlook those on our own doorstep. Here in the city of Hot Springs, there are over 35,000 people, an estimated 25% of which live in poverty. Our Compassion for Children (C4C) ministry reaches specifically into the homes of these impoverished people and shines the light of the gospel on children and families by providing Christ-centered activities for the underprivileged youth of Hot Springs as well as transportation to these activities.
Students who volunteer with C4C fulfill this calling in a practical way by ministering to inner-city children every Sunday morning, providing them with their own worship service as well as snacks, games, safe transportation, and a positive environment. The dedicated students involved in C4C embrace this opportunity to demonstrate the love of God to these children and to serve as an uplifting influence in their lives. Many of our students find this to be a very rewarding ministry and have seen God change the hearts and lives of the people who have been reached in this way.
Presented in multiple cities and drawing hundreds of young people from around the nation, Teen Revolution offers a plethora of opportunities for volunteer service. Whether by singing or playing an instrument with the Revolution Band, helping to facilitate games and activities, serving on the advertising committee, or simply lending a hand with behind-the-scenes preparations, Champion students make invaluable contributions to the mission of Teen Revolution—sparking a revival among young people across the nation. Students can even participate in Teen Revolution rallies, one-day events held around the country to further the goals and continue the momentum of Teen Revolution.
Since Champion Christian College is affiliated with Gospel Light Baptist Church, Champion students have the benefit of becoming involved in church programs, such as small groups. GLBC’s young adult ministry, Ignite, focuses on uniting and equipping college-aged people to handle the tough issues of today and impact the world for Christ. Students will find that small groups such as Ignite are a powerful boost not only to their spiritual life but also to their sense of community at Champion.
Students with a passion for music have many opportunities to use their talents for the glory of God. We encourage our musically inclined students to join the Champion Christian College Chorale, led by the nationally recognized Dr. Thomas Bolton. The chorale performs at various locations throughout the community, raising awareness for the college as well as providing a ministry to the Hot Springs area.
Students are also welcome to join the GLBC worship team. This talented group of musicians and singers are responsible for the musical aspects of the Sunday services, and their top priority is assisting the congregation in praising God and focusing their hearts on His majesty. As part of the GLBC worship team, students may sing or play an instrument—or both. Through all of these avenues, Champion offers our students the opportunity to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” (Psalm 100:1 ESV)!
The “worship manual” of the Bible, the Book of Psalms, closes with this stirring command: “Praise the Lord!….Praise Him with tambourine and dance….Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:1a, 4a, 6a ESV). At Champion, we believe that worship should involve not merely the mind and heart but the body as well. For this reason, we offer our students the opportunity to attend our newly instituted worship dance program. All of our dance classes are offered in a newly renovated, state-of-the-art dance studio on campus and are taught by Mrs. Derri Ohm, a highly qualified Christian dance instructor and choreographer with extensive experience in multiple dance disciplines.
Previous dance experience, although helpful, is certainly not required, because the program begins at a basic level. In addition to increasing their own understanding of worship, students also have the opportunity to present worship dances at various locations throughout the community, raising the profile of the college as well as ministering to others in a unique and impactful way.
Students who enjoy working with children may find it rewarding to volunteer in the nursery. This ministry provides loving, watchful care for very young children on Sunday mornings, freeing their parents to benefit from the service without interruption or distraction. Those students who aspire to be elementary school teachers would certainly be ideal candidates for this role, but any student may volunteer who has a heart for the Lord and a love for His little ones.
Students will have periodic opportunities for social outreach within the Hot Springs community. Instructors, pastors, and other authority figures will spearhead various service projects and invite the participation of students. In this way, students are able to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways within their own community.
In partnership with Gospel Light Baptist Church, students at Champion Christian College have the opportunity to visit ten different nursing homes on a regular basis and minister to the elderly. Teams of volunteers present customized worship services (complete with singing and preaching), pray for the needs of the residents and staff, and simply offer some much-needed love and attention to this often-overlooked section of the population. Always in need of more workers, the nursing home outreach program is a blessing not only to the elderly and their caregivers but also to the students who feel called to serve in this way.
At Champion, we’re passionate about igniting a fire for the Lord among the next generation. For this reason, we offer our students the opportunity to serve as part of GLBC’s teen ministry, M.A.D. House, on Wednesday nights. The opportunities for service include singing or playing on the worship band, facilitating small group sessions, producing audio-visual materials, operating technical equipment, and most importantly, serving as role models for these rising young adults.
Did you know 95% of people explore the church website before visiting the actual church? And did you know that if guests are not warmly greeted within five minutes of their arrival, their chances of ever visiting again dramatically decrease? These statistics explain why GLBC and Champion place such a high priority on the First Impressions Ministry. We are committed to harnessing the power of genuine kindness and biblical hospitality to remove every barrier for the unchurched and de-churched.
As members of this ministry, Champion upperclassmen are invited to create a positive atmosphere for guests by distributing materials, answering questions, and offering one of the most powerful tools available—a sincere smile!
