By Nicole Diseker, Staff Writer
Everyone from Big Foot to Edward Scissorhands was spotted at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry’s Monster Mash Music Fest Oct. 31, in front of the Student Union.
The night was filled with performances by SE students and alumni, a silent art auction and booths informing students of BCM mission trips to East Asia, South Asia and South America.
Blake Moore, junior psychology major, and a performer at Monster Mash said, “I thought it was a very encouraging outreach from our BCM to the student body as a whole, in terms of advancing the arts at SE without forsaking their values.”
Moore dressed up as Abraham Lincoln that night. A costume contest was held during the Monster Mash’s festivities. Many students participated, but the winner was Bryant Adams, senior psychology major, dressed as Edward Scissorhands, who said his costume took over four hours to put on.
The focus of the night was mission work.
As a way to fund future BCM mission trips, a silent art auction was compiled of art pieces made and donated by students. Cookies and coffee were available for free, but donations were taken as well.
The pieces donated ranged from paintings of all sizes to chalkboards and decorated kitchenware.
Sheridan Hill, senior psychology major, performer and silent auctioneer, said the auction made at least $50 all together.
Booths were set up with information, photos and artifacts from each place of mission work: East Asia, South Asia and South America. Students were able to ask questions directly from those who went on the trips and take away information on future trips to the same places.
“I think it did a good job of introducing people to the idea that we [the BCM] do mission work,” said Moore.
This past summer, Moore said he was one of seven SE students to travel to East Asia to do mission work.
The students took language and culture classes, worked at three college campuses and spent time getting to know the locals. Moore still stays in touch with some of his East Asian friends.
One of Moore’s closest friends went to the very same place in East Asia. He told Moore about the people, the ministry there and everything that was going on in that part of the world.
“As soon as he told me my heart sort of leapt out of my chest. Hearing about all the ministry and God’s work going on there, I felt like there was no other option but for me to go,” said Moore.
Jeremy Burns, junior arts and sciences major, traveled to South Asia during the summer with five others.
“Women would go to an orphanage and teach English and math,” said Burns.
In South Asia, women and men aren’t allowed to talk to one another, it’s viewed as disrespectful, and so the men of the SE group weren’t allowed there. They had to share their faith in a different way.
“We men would wake up, pray together, and head to a college and play basketball. From there we would share the gospel with them. It was intentional EV (evangelism) with locals.”
Burns plans to go back to South Asia for six months next year from July to December, missing his fall semester.
“ It’s wholeheartedly that the Lord is calling me back. I have no personal desire to live there. It’s God that’s calling me there,” said Burns.
In South Asia they don’t have ice or sweets. Burns loves his sweets so much that he took 15 pounds with him to South Asia.
“I love sharing about the mission trip because it’s an easy way to share the gospel with people if they don’t know Jesus,” said Burns.
The funds received from the night’s donations and silent auction will fund future BCM mission trips.