Community outreaches continue to flourish
By Lindy Spore

What would a typical college student at a state university be doing on a Friday night? Most likely, you could find him at the movies, parties, cruising or involved in one of the other of a plethora of activities of a busy college student.

Here at ORU, however, Warriors for Christ walk down the streets of downtown Tulsa, through the mall, or any of several locations around the city to tell people about Jesus and His saving grace.

Junior Aaron Palmer, leader of Warriors for Christ, says the outreach is "designed to get people out of their comfort zone in sharing their faith. It's one-on-one evangelism to people from all walks of life...from the homeless to businessmen to drug addicts." Talk about diversity!

One night the group "talked to a guy who was only days fresh out of prison. He was on his way back into the things of the world, to sell a round of cocaine that very night. He still wore his prison shoes and clothes, but that night he got his life changed, surrendered his old way of life to God and said he was ready to begin anew with Christ."

Another testimony is of a Muslim man from Turkey. He gave his life to the Lord after some friendship evangelism from "the Warriors." They took him out to eat and built a relationship with him. "He had been Muslim his whole entire life," says Palmer.

"He surrendered his heart to Christ and began diligently seeking the Lord and reading the Word."

On Valentine's Day, a group of Warriors went out to downtown Tulsa and handed out flowers to women at the bus station and at the YMCA. They ministered to dozens of people and one man rededicated his life to Christ.

People are saved every Friday when these Warriors for Christ go out into Tulsa. "We see people come to the Lord [every week]," Palmer said.

Perhaps the success is partially because Warriors for Christ meets half an hour before heading out for praise and worship in the Holy Spirit Room. Aaron says it is important for them to get deeper into the spirit to prepare for ministry. If you are interested in being a Warrior for Christ, call x7734 for information and times.

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Each semester, the ORU Communication Arts Department turns on the spotlights and Howard Auditorium's stage becomes alive with actors and actresses. These young stars take to the stage where they acquire a new identity, and the audience is mesmerized.

Maybe you have been in that audience, seated amidst the crowd, partaking in the lives of these people before you. Perhaps you have wondered what it would be like to act, to take on a new role and pretend you were someone else. To have the crowds be immersed by the story you persuade, to be cheered and applauded...it seems so surreal, so untouchable.

Perhaps not. One of the newest outreaches here at ORU is one called Beautiful Feet. Freshman and leader of Beautiful Feet, Kristin Elsey, wanted to provide an outreach for those not only with an artistic talent for the stage, but with inspiration to spread the gospel as well.

Elsey's dream is to have "five to six dedicated people who aren't afraid to be dramatic...[go] to parks" and put on captivating dramas that will lure those around to stop and watch." Through this, Elsey hopes and prays for the salvation of many people.

When Elsey went to China for a mission trip before coming to ORU, her team performed skits and dramas for crowds of people. This was inspirational and within her first semester she decided to help ORU students do the same.

Although the outreach has not yet begun, Elsey is currently recruiting those with stage talent. They will meet Wednesdays at 8 p.m. She hopes to start practices for dramas before the school year ends. If you are interested in being having Beautiful Feet, call Kristen at x2049 for information and times. This outreach is certainly bound for stardom!

And there you have it; two amazing outreaches at the fingertips of every ORU student. Don't forget that just because school is ending doesn't mean that you have to give up reaching out during the summer. Check with your local church for opportunities to serve wherever you are.

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