By Corban University
MLK Serve Day has become one of Corban’s most enduring traditions. On a day designated in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., a man noted for his bold, sacrificial service, while most enjoy an extra day off from work or class, many Corban students instead choose to roll up their sleeves and serve their community.
This year, more than 230 Corban students, alongside their professors and Corban staff, spread out all across Salem, joining with local organizations to help make a difference in the city the University calls home.
“A big part of education is putting things into practice,” said Program Coordinator for Student Life, Luke Walker. “If we want students to embrace our mission and go on from Corban to make a difference in the world, we need to give them opportunities to make a difference in their community while they are here. MLK Serve Day is one way students can engage and put what they hear in class, and in chapel, into practice.”
Throughout the day, students were busy serving at four major sites across Salem: Arianna House, Sunnyside Community Gardens, Be Bold Street Ministries, and Salem for Refugees. They performed a variety of projects from clearing debris and helping with simple maintenance to providing practical relief items to people in need and sharing the gospel.
Among the volunteers were nine of Corban’s athletic teams. For Ethan VanDelinder, a member of the baseball team, the experience of partnering with Be Bold Street Ministries to share the gospel with those who are experiencing homelessness in the Salem area was perspective shaping.
“It was a really interesting experience getting to share the gospel with the people of Salem who are in need,” he said. “All across our city, there’s a need for hope, peace, and restoration, and it so easily goes unnoticed. It was a cool opportunity to get to share the good news, share the truth in a loving way, and help people to understand there is hope out there. It’s what we are called to do as believers.”
Year after year, MLK Serve Day stands as a powerful reminder of the heart of Corban University’s mission: to live out Christ’s example of love and service, and, in doing so, make a difference in the world for His glory.
While reflecting on the day, Walker referenced Mark 10:45, which states, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” It was a long day of hard work, beginning early in the morning with many students returning as the sun went down, but the groups expressed a gladness at being able to give even just a day of their lives to the cause of serving their community. “It is such an important tradition for us,” Walker said as he welcomed students back to campus. “It models the example Jesus set for us. As a community of believers, we seek to emulate Jesus in everything we do, and service is an integral part of that.”
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