College News
Posted: May 20th, 2013
This year marks the 10th annual commencement exercises for Ouachita Hills College. A total of eight students graduated this year with degrees in Elementary Christian Education, Secondary Christian Education, Christian Media, and Theology.
The speaker for this special occasion was Mark Finley, former Vice-President of the General Conference. Pastor Finley gave very practical messages to the graduates and admonished them to “walk worthy of the Lord.” He let them know that if they did what they could with the knowledge that they have, God can multiply their efforts to bless many people as they thus walk worthy of Him.
Though it is unpleasant to let these dear students go, we trust that the training they received has equipped them to render acceptable service for Jesus Christ. Through the grace of God, these students will enter the Master’s vineyard where they will “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.” -Col. 1:10
Posted: March 20th, 2013
Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. -Mark 5:19
This man was recently healed by Jesus. Though he desired to spend more time with Him, Jesus told him to go out into his own village and relate to others what He has done for Him.
You can only imagine how this man must have felt. Maybe he was a little apprehensive. Maybe he felt inadequate because the time he spent with Jesus was so small. Maybe he felt as if he lacked the necessary skills to fulfill Jesus’s command. Nevertheless, Jesus gave the him the charge… “Go.”
Our college students find themselves in a similar predicament. The time has come where they must once again lay aside their studies, the sweet fellowship and bonding with friends, and their hilltop experience with Jesus in order to share the good news of Christ with others.
During this period of three weeks, the college students will be canvassing in Montgomery Alabama, Decatur Arkansas, Lake Charles Louisiana, and Hammond Louisiana. Divine appointments orchestrated by God await them. In the meantime, it is our duty to pray for their success and their safe return home.
Posted: March 20th, 2013
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
An essential component to the success of any business is the existence of unity amongst team players. Both leaders and workers need to cooperate with one another so that the task at hand may be accomplished successfully and efficiently.
Especially in the realm of the church does this principle holds true. Those in leadership positions as well as the people under them need to put forth a united effort in order to fulfill the gospel commission.
Larry Moore, the president of the Southwestern Union, has blessed us with both his messages and his fellowship. Mr. Moore’s messages were both Christ-centered and immensely practical. He admonished us to “never give up” and to work as a united Church family that places Jesus in the center of each message.
What added power to Mr. Moore’s message was his Christ-like interaction with his audience. He would often be seen in the cafeteria eating meals with the students and talking with them. His free association amongst students, staff, and newcomers showed us that he considered himself to be part of our family.
It would do us much good to put Mr. Moore’s message into practice. With Jesus as the center of our church and the collaboration of church leadership and laity, this house will be able to stand and fulfill its commission.
Posted: March 17th, 2013
The Courtesy Banquet functions as the final test of Courtesy Week. It was a chance for us students and staff to practice newly learned etiquette rules and express courtesy to our peers in a more formal setting. An appetizing Italian theme cuisine was prepared by the Foods and Nutrition class, who worked all afternoon to prepare it. In addition, the cafeteria was decorated to compliment the food theme. Eating, discussing, and picture-taking filled the time.
The Banquet is customarily followed by Open House. It’s a chance for all to explore the dorms on “the other side of campus.” Of course, no one is caught off guard, but all have cleaned and organized their things to prepare for this dorm presentation. The whole evening is one delightful surprise after another.
Posted: February 25th, 2013
Winter break was not just for students to travel home for a long weekend, it was also a break for Ouachita Hills staff. They carpooled together to Branson, Missouri for their annual teachers’ meetings. Three vans made their way north through windy roads and stormy weather. After a restful night, the staff met together for a seminar on improving teaching skills. The focus was on test giving and cooperative learning. Mrs. Walden, the education director and Rob Neall, academy registrar and teacher, held the training sessions. The staff have also enjoyed a time of fellowship, sharing, and relaxation.
Posted: January 16th, 2013
The cloudy skies outside the main hall at camp Yorktown were in sharp contrast to the penetrating light of truth inside. It’s easy for us to take the message of the cross for granted, but this weekend gave me a fresh and stirring glimpse of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
We revisited the battle of the Great Controversy, and it was seen that Jesus’ victory was won using the very instrument that Satan intended for his defeat. We live for a purpose, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to refocus my priorities before the new semester.
Posted: December 17th, 2012
“That baby changed everything.” Pastor Powell’s words reverberated through the auditorium. This year’s Christmas program was entitled “And Ye Shall Find the Babe…” In the program, pieces were performed by the large choir, small choir, bell choir, and children’s choir. In between performances, Pastor Kevin Powell shared a sacred thought or short story to direct the minds of those listening upward. Hearts were touched by the simple, yet profound musical messages.
Afterwards, students had a chance to mingle with members of the community and interact at a more informal level. Ouachita Hills is founded upon a firm belief in evangelism, and looks forward to every opportunity to be a “star” in the surrounding community. This past December afforded just such an opportunity with the annual Christmas Program, a musical event focused on the birth of Christ. The seats available seemed barely able to contain the number of community members that arrived, and extra seats were quickly produced to accommodate them. We recognize our responsibility to take the gospel to the world, and whether it is by mission trips, canvassing, or musical programs, we humbly pray that at every opportunity God will use us as stars to spread life-giving light to all those around us.
Posted: November 7th, 2012
Outreach is an essential part of our Christian growth. It teaches us how to serve others like Jesus did while He was here on earth. That is why Ouachita Hills plans a Community Outreach Day every semester. On October 23rd, students had the opportunity to be a blessing to others by helping with practical labor.
Staff and students traveled to a variety of locations including: Arkadelphia, Chapel Valley, Mt. Ida, and Nashville. They were all happily engaged in helping with weeding, raking, painting, cleaning and washing windows.
Ellen White says in Messages To Young People, “The discipline for practical life that is gained by physical labor combined with mental taxation is sweetened by the reflection that it is qualifying mind and body better to perform the work that God designs men to do. The more perfectly the youth understand how to perform the duties of practical life, the greater will be their enjoyment day by day in being of use to others. The mind educated to enjoy useful labor becomes enlarged; through training and discipline it is fitted for usefulness; for it has acquired the knowledge essential to make its possessor a blessing to others.”
Posted: October 24th, 2012
Every year Ouachita Hills College invites students from all around the country to come visit our school. Our visitors had the opportunity to get to know the college students on campus during a Thursday night ice-breaker. Laughter was heard all throughout the auditorium as the students were getting acquainted. On Friday, they had the chance to join in on some of the college classes of their choice. Some classes were so filled that people had to stand or sit on the floor!
Blessings were poured out during vespers as we all sang hymns of praise and heard a heart-felt sermon presented by one of our own staff members.
We wanted our visitors to experience real-life here at OHC so they were able to join our college students at their assigned churches on Sabbath morning. After church, many were involved in outreach around the surrounding communities. On Saturday night, there was a panel discussion to help visitors gain a better understanding of life here at OHC. Four of our college students were put on the spot to answer various questions prepared for them.
Overall, the weekend was a great success! Our visitors were able to experience Ouachita Hills College for themselves. A total of twenty-eight visitors came from all around the country. We hope that all will prayerfully consider coming to Ouachita Hills College!
Posted: October 24th, 2012
Besides canvassing, church activities, and community outreach days, Ouachita Hills College reaches out to the world through the “Estudiemos Juntos” program. OHC students Leeroy Hernandez, David Pano, Natalie Cordova, and Argentina Vanegas faithfully meet together every Wednesday morning in the auditorium. With help from the media department, the Spanish-speaking group records the weekly Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath School lessons for broadcasting in the United States, Central America, and South America. This effort is not in vain. Viewers from countries such as Mexico and Guatemala write of their appreciation for the Bible-based studies and the team’s youthful devotion to God. Appreciative viewers include non-Adventists, non-Christians, and even people who are in jail!
The diverse audience requires a different format than a typical Sabbath School lesson. Each lesson must be transmitted from Arkansas to the broadcasting stations. This means that the team records a whole quarter in advance to ensure that the studies arrive on time. The team breaks the week’s lesson down into a more traditional Bible study. Each lesson opens with an introduction and ends with a personal appeal for viewers to more fully commit their lives to God. With His Holy Spirit, these simple studies filmed in an auditorium are connecting people thousands of miles away with Jesus Christ their Savior.
