Daniel Farias
Staff Writer

As a part of a mission work initiative, the student organization Christian Leaders on the Hill sent several students to Alaska over spring break. The students participated in Keep Alaska Warm, a service project that involved the distribution of hats, gloves, and scarves to Alaskan children.

CLOTH teamed up with GraceWorks Ministries to share the love of Jesus. Students took part in the Iditarod sled dog race restart, setting up and tearing down equipment.

Associate Professor of Christian Studies Dr. Alan Hix, who headed up the trip, has been going to Alaska on and off since 1993. “There were 60 of us total as a part of GraceWorks that participated,” said Hix. With no snow falling in Willow, the race restart was moved to Fairbanks.

The students drove 9 hours from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Then, they installed miles of an orange web fencing for race lanes and for keeping the crowd back. “They (GraceWorks) know that our group is dependable, has a great attitude, and shows up on time,” said Hix.

The group’s volunteer work opens the door for a Christian testimony. Megan Gibbs, a junior Christian Studies major, believes that serving the Alaskan people in adverse conditions has made an impact.

When the restart location was moved to Fairbanks, the volunteers in Anchorage backed out. When Shorter’s students and the rest of GraceWorks’ volunteers stayed to help, the Alaskans’ response was one of surprise. “It was a big shock for them,” said Gibbs. “They all kind of gave us funny looks.”

Shorter students also worked at a large homeless shelter, handing out coffee in 5 degree weather. They even helped clean showers and assisted in feeding people. At lunch, the students ate with many people who were facing economic difficulties.

During that time, they shared what God was doing in their lives, along with listening and encouraging those at the shelter who had struggles. Seth Broome, a senior Math Education major, now plans to do mission work full-time in Alaska because of his experiences there. “What we’re doing really does make a difference,” said Broome.

Broome has traveled to Alaska the past three years doing mission work. “Last year, I worked with a guy in Anchorage and got to share my testimony with him,” said Broome. “He didn’t really open up to me too much, but he did listen.”

Shorter’s team conducted their volunteer work in a spiritually unreached region. Dr. Hix said, “It’s the least churched state in the U.S, and the churches struggle because there’s so few of them.”

The Alaskan people had varying responses to the arrival of Georgia mission workers. Some were pleasantly surprised, while others were puzzled by their service.

Generally, the Alaskan people don’t open up that easily. Broome has been able to talk with some of the natives. “When you first meet them, it’s hard to have a conversation,” said Broome. “You get one word answers.”

The mission team worked with underprivileged children as GraceWorks handed out cubes that told the story of salvation. Gibbs developed a relationship with an 8-year-old girl and shared the Gospel with her. “These kids are continually getting the Gospel poured into them,” said Gibbs.

Anna Italiano

Staff writer

With the help of the non-profit organization, Not For Sale, students on campus are raising awareness about the 30 million people enslaved from human trafficking. Athletic teams, businesses and universities around the world are fighting for freedom.

Abi Braly, junior accounting major and member of Not For Sale, said their mission is to provide awareness and prevent human trafficking.

“Our mission is to end slavery in our lifetime by empowering people to join the fight against human trafficking,” said Braly.

According to notforsale.org, males and females are manipulated or sold to undercover brothels where people pay money to abuse the slaves physically and emotionally in order for them to obey their commands.

Some students’ eyes were opened to the issue recently at the Passion Conference.

“It wasn’t until I went to Passion, a Christian conference, where I found out that there are currently 30 million people enslaved. This is the largest amount of slaves in the world throughout history,” said Braly.

Dani Fairbairn, sophomore international studies major and president of Not For Sale, is passionate about this issue.

“We are really focusing on getting the word out so that people are aware that it’s also a problem here in the United States. Atlanta is one of the biggest hubs for human trafficking,” said Fairbairn.

According to Georgia Governor’s Office for Children and Families, Atlanta was named by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as one of 14 U.S. cities with the highest rate of child prostitution.

To raise awareness, the group is doing numerous fundraisers. You can find the members carrying bright orange buckets every day around campus for donations.

“Some of the money raised will go toward equipping police officers to train and know the signs and how to arrest the correct people,” said Richard Hyde, junior history education major and Not For Sale member.

Not For Sale is planning a night of awareness, which will be a prayer and worship night for others to learn more about the cause.

“We are also planning a movie night where we will show a documentary that will educate viewers,” said Fairbairn.

Not For Sale is also taking part in Fast For Freedom.

“Fast For Freedom is a time where members are fasting and praying for the victims of human trafficking,” said Braly. “We meet every day in the front circle at 3 p.m. for a time of prayer and devotion. Fast For Freedom is during Lent and will end on Easter.”

If you are interested in becoming a member of Not For Sale, or have other questions, you can contact Bricey Bradshaw at bricey.bradshaw@hotmail.com and like the Not For Sale at Shorter University Facebook page.

Patrice Allen

Staff writer

Many of the sports teams on campus choose to use their sport for community service and ministry. Lacrosse, basketball, soccer and countless other teams are volunteering around Rome.

With only one year of the women’s lacrosse program completed, this group is trying to make a statement for the Hawks not just on, but off the field. Freshman pre-med major Rita Cave and her teammates are highly involved with a program called Third Street Ministries.

“Off campus, we are helping homeless people and sharing the Lord with them,” said Cave.

Each Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m., the lacrosse team spends time at Third Street Ministries, which provides hot showers and other essentials for less fortunate people. The members hand out Bibles, interact with the children and make hot chocolate, lemonade and sandwiches for people, according to Coach Brittni Dulaney.

“We would love for anyone to donate clothes and toiletries if they would like to,” said Dulaney. “Really, we are just trying to build relationships with the women and families who come, and encourage them through Bible study and friendship.”

Not only is the lacrosse team living out its faith, but the women’s basketball team is as well. The team volunteers at an open home as well as a community kitchen.

“A lot of girls mentor in the schools around here during the year and basketball camps during the summer,” said Emily Trew, sophomore point guard.

This past fall semester, the men’s and women’s soccer teams volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club. Each week, the players were given the opportunity to play soccer with a group of children after school.

“It was great!” said junior forward and midfielder, Kayla Bell. “We got to share our love for soccer with a ton of kids.”

Both soccer teams hope to participate in more community service this spring, as well as the men’s and women’s basketball squads who are taking a mission trip in May to Saint Vincent. The teams will play against Saint Vincent’s national basketball team as well as work with youth and share the gospel.