College News
Posted: February 1st, 2012
At Thanksgiving a team of academy and college students, traveled from Ouachita Hills to the Dominican Republic, which is one of the two countries on the island of La Hispaniola. As there was no running water or electricity, the students had the opportunity to experience some of what Paul meant when he wrote, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) The team spent 3 weeks doing evangelistic and health seminars for children and adults at 2 sites, Bayaguana and Rio Boya.
It took 22 hours to drive from the airport in Santo Domingo to Corozal, one of the mission sites. Several years ago, the ministry there was an Adventist training center for medical missionaries. Equipped with a bakery, agriculture program, wellness center, dorms, and staff housing, the now-empty campus provided the perfect place to house fourteen missionaries.
David Machado, Josh Baute, and Niccole Brinkley conducted the main meetings in Bayaguana. Lindsey House, Hannah Blade, Abby Long,, and Darlington Dah worked with the children. At the smaller church in Rio Boya, Jaimie Douville preached and Bradley Oti presented the health talks. Argentina Vanegas, Josh Yang, and Hailey Chalfant conducted the children’s program.
Between the two sites, over 80 adult visitors and over 90 children attended the evangelistic series. “It’s kind of wild,” said Josh Yang about working with the children. “I have never seen such a loud and wild group of kids. God is teaching me patience and giving me endurance.”
At the end of the meetings, 12 people were baptized, and approximately 50 people signed up for Bible studies. God truly blessed and brought many spiritually hungry people to the meetings.
View the full report.
Posted: September 20th, 2011
A hundred kneeling students buried their faces in the auditorium seats to pray. A low murmur filled the room as they paired off and communed quietly with God. “Lord, take my heart!” the fervent plea was heard from one weeping student. “For I cannot give it.” I It was the student-led Week of Prayer at Ouachita Hills Academy and College, and hearts were being touched—not by eloquent orations, but by the Spirit of God. The theme, Reflecting Christ, was revealed in many aspects: through the commandments, through physical and mental development, through justification and sanctification, through outreach, and many other ways. As we saw, reflecting Christ is not just a theoretical idea, but an attainable reality. Jarrell Bell, a second-year Education major, says that the thing that impacted him the most about week of Prayer was “the practicality of the talks.” Indeed, our desire is that a relationship with Christ becomes much more than a mere theory. Week of Prayer has been an earnest attempt to facilitate such a goal. 
“They gave me more practical ways that I can experience the more abstract truths,” says Raquel Soler, a first-year Education major.
At the end of the week, a call was made for baptism or rebaptism, in which a number of students came forward. It is our prayer that the spirit of reflecting Christ will not end here but will continue, in many practical ways, throughout the school year.
Posted: September 6th, 2011
A friendly, green-clad server offers a sample of creamy golden spread. “Would you like to try some sandwich spread?” Servers further down the hall are offering other entrees, side dishes, and a variety of desserts. It is Dr. MargiAnne Isaia’s “Try It” Expo, held in Hot Springs on September 2. The purpose was to expose local community members to healthy, vegan foods. 
Fifty volunteers from Ouachita Hills Academy and College joined Dr. MariAnne to man booths, pass out samples, and welcome visitors, an experience that benefited everyone.
“Getting to know the people and getting to know the food—that’s what it was all about,” says Ross Vukshich, a second-year media student. “We spoke with the people about the food samples, what was in them, and how it would benefit their health. I hope it will help them.”
We see health evangelism as an important aspect in reaching the felt needs of our community. We are told that the health message is the right arm of the gospel, and we are excited for the chance to get some exercise in that area. The Try It Expo will be followed up by cooking schools and eventually other seminars.
To find out more about the Try It Expo, visit EnthusiasticLife.net.
Posted: August 24th, 2011
A million glints of the setting sun reflect from the surface of Lake Ouachita. Ikemba, lost in a moment of solitude, enjoys from the well-beloved dock a view appreciated for years by OHC students. Here, away from the bustle of school life and appointments and class schedules, he communes with God in the serene peacefulness of nature.
“In nature, you learn lessons from the throne of grace,” Ikemba Balogu, a new theology student, later says. “You have the opportunity to learn, not indirectly, but directly from God—time spent in nature has a lasting and profound impact.”
This past weekend the entire student body and faculty of Ouachita Hills College journeyed to Camp Yorktown Bay for the bi-annual Spiritual Retreat. Various faculty and students delivered the messages, which were based upon the theme, “Education, Redemption, and Restoration.” One main thrust behind the messages brought out the need for forgiveness and healing as a step in restoration—some of the students took action that very weekend, speaking with others that they had wronged and asking for forgiveness.
“The message on forgiveness and true Christian education was life-changing,” says Calwyn Bernard, a new media student. “It was one of the best spiritual emphasis retreats I’ve ever attended.”
Perhaps as you take time in solitude to consider how Christ desires your education, redemption, and restoration, you can experience a little something of the wonderful weekend with which we were blessed. Nature, fellowship, worship, solitude—our cup overflows with rejuvenation, a joy we’d like to share. Join us next semester for an even greater blessing! 
Posted: August 24th, 2011
There’s a lot of newness at Ouachita Hills College this year. Brand-new Macintosh computers have taken the place of outdated desktops. Several new staff members fill desks that were empty not too long ago. Near the entrance to the school, a noticeable plot of land is being cleared for a new building project. Even a new level of enrolled students has been reached—60, the majority of majors being in Theology/Biblical Studies or in Education. Many things are new, but our foundations remain the same—and for the students at OHC, that is exactly what we’re wanting: that old time religion. 
“This school is so unique and ideal,” says David Pano Mena, a new media student. “God is in every single class and topic!”
Indeed, as we begin our new school year, we’re constantly laboring towards new and improved methods, facilities, and curriculum—but only as a means of reviving that primitive godliness in the heart of each student. We hope you will join us this year in striving towards and praying for true revival and reformation. We are confident, as in the words of Samantha Roybal, a new education student, “It’s going to be a blessing!”
Posted: January 17th, 2011
The flames crackled heartily and sparks drifted high into the air at the Spring Bonfire last Sabbath evening. Both college and academy students gathered close to the fire to roast veggie hot dogs and warm themselves from the chilly evening. The simple supper of fruit, popcorn, and hot dogs was set up on a picnic table, and after partaking of physical food, the students began to fellowship and partake of spiritual food through song and testimony. 
Many students shared experiences of God’s guidance and their thankfulness for a Christ-centered school. After singing our last song, everyone toted the food back to the kitchen and strolled to the dorms for the rest of the evening. Simply talking about our Creator and fellowshipping together brings us closer to Him, and we are grateful for every opportunity.
Posted: January 17th, 2011
“There’s no place I’d rather be! I’m back in my peaceful oasis where I can delve into God’s word,” exclaims Benjamin Ellis, a sophomore theology major, upon returning to school. It’s ironic that he would compare Ouachita Hills with an oasis just after a liberal deposit of snow and ice coated every inch of campus before registration day.
This week we have had nearly six inches of snow and in some cases, a rather dangerous layer of ice that delayed some students’ arrivals for a day or two. But by God’s grace, registration began on January 10th and extended as late as the 13th for those held up by unpredictable weather. There are 51 students registered at Ouachita Hills College this semester.
With a new year and a new semester comes an opportunity to correct, improve, and aspire to new heights. Benjamin seems to sum up the goals of both staff and students: “I can’t wait to see what’s in store,” he says. “I want to make God my all this semester.”
Posted: December 24th, 2010
“Winter canvassing is one of the best times to go door to door,” you will often hear colporteurs say. “Since it’s so cold, everyone invites you inside!” If you have ever done door to door work, you will remember that going inside a home dramatically boosts your chances to sell books, pray, give mini-Bible studies, and minister to the needs of the person. This winter, from November 28 to December 21, many of the students spent time doing just that in several locations. Four teams spread out to Manchester, Kentucky; Mountain Home, Arkansas; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; and Gainsville, Georgia.
The numerical results that came in show how God blesses His workers—something in the neighborhood of 8,700 books went out; this totaled $115,804.43. The majority of this money will be used to help students continue their Christian education. But more than monetary blessings, a quick survey of student reactions show that blessings come also in the character department.
“The Lord was able to teach me so much while canvassing, especially with my character,” says Helen Canales, a freshman elementary education major who worked in Mountain Home. “I’m learning to fully depend on God for everything, and be fully surrendered—because it’s His work.” Daniel Gomez, a first year theology major who worked in Pine bluff, agrees wholeheartedly. “Canvassing is very important to our spiritual growth, because God uses it to mold our character—and I believe He is going to use canvassing to finish the work.”
One characteristic of this winter’s canvassing program is that many of the teams spent a significant portion of time in small towns rather than larger cities. This can provide a unique set of challenges, but nothing that discourages God’s work from going forward! “I learned that God can work even in the most impossible circumstances,” reminisces Moses Privett, a second year theology major who canvassed in Manchester. “Even when you’re out in the country where it takes forever to walk from one house to the next, and no one is buying any books, God will often take you to the very last door and sell many of your books.”
And even for those that buy no books, we still have something for them. Stefani Herrera, a third year business major hailing from the Gainsville program, tells us how she sees that every single person is blessed: “We can still leave them with a prayer and the impression that God cares.”
Posted: November 16th, 2010
October 21, 2010 was a day of excitement as 31 students arrived on campus to experience a taste of student life at Ouachita Hills College. This is a time looked forward to with great anticipation because we are able to meet potential classmates, roommates, and people of like goals and aspirations.
Following supper, worship, and orientation, the college dorms filled with chatter and laughter as new friendships were formed. It was no easy task to accommodate 31 people in our limited accommodations. In order to make this work, we were obliged to roll out our best floors and allow the guests the use of our beds. This, of course, simply served to intensify the fun. Homework was laid aside for the most part, and socializing was made a priority.
The next day our guests had the opportunity to participate in a typical day of classes as well as a special campus tour conducted by one of our college students. The Sabbath was welcomed by a beautiful vespers service and a thought-provoking message presented by Alvin Cardona, an OHC Senior in Theology.
Sabbath morning found OHC students and guests worshipping with the surrounding churches and later participating in active outreach in the community. Sabbath evening was the highlight of the weekend, and a fitting farewell to college days. The visiting students heard from a panel of OHC students sharing from their heart about how God had worked in their lives in leading them to OHC, followed by a question-and-answer period. It was a weekend of blessings and we pray that God will guide in the lives of these students as they make plans for their future.
Posted: November 14th, 2010
Saturday, November 13—
What time of the year are you likely to find hay bales and pumpkins in the dining hall? Thanksgiving time! Students and staff alike collaborated to make the cafeteria as festive as possible before our annual Thanksgiving Program. Since students will not be present during the actual holiday, we enjoyed taking this time to celebrate the hard-earned
successes of our forefathers in coming to America, and our own personal reasons for gratitude.
At Ouachita Hills, we enjoy simple recreation, and so an evening of word games, songs, and plenty of laughter seemed just right. Participants divided into groups to write impromptu songs and sing rounds. Later, everyone joined together for the performance of the songs and word games. Our evening proved to be fun but meaningful as we reminisced about our own gratitude. We hope to keep the spirit of thankfulness alive throughout the rest of the year.
