GCU TODAY • 1 5
VIDEO
See the Canyon Kids program in action in a
video at
.
List of student ministries
just keeps growing
As GCU students went door to door collecting
youngsters for one weekly ministry, they also
urged mothers to meet for coffee, donuts and
conversation for another.
“This could be a time of fellowship for the
moms,” said Yvanna Rodriguez, a student leader.
The program, CanyonMoms, is one of a
growing roster of outreach opportunities offered
by GCU’s Department of Spiritual Life. Every
week, students provide assistance andministry
to nearly 500 people in the community whomay
be homeless, hungry, neglected or needy.
Volunteering offers GCU students a deeper
understanding of those less fortunate, said Chris
Cunningham, Local Outreach coordinator.
“It gives students the opportunity to see
the needs of others just outside their door,”
Cunningham said.
In addition to Canyon Kids and Canyon Moms,
Spiritual Life also offers students volunteer
opportunities at these ministries:
• Changing Lives Center:
Work with the children
of abused or recently homeless women.
• Colter Commons:
Spend time with senior
citizens who live in a low-income housing
program.
• Habitat for Humanity:
Help renovate or
build homes in the community for families of
modest means.
• Homeless Ministry:
Serve food, sing songs
and listen to stories told by homeless Phoenix
residents.
• NeighborhoodMinistries:
Provide crafts,
Bible stories, games and dinner for more than
100 kindergarten-seventh graders.
• New Life Pregnancy Center:
Serve women in
crisis through care and prayer.
• Serve the City:
Perform yard work, paint and
help beautify the community at biennial event.
• Youth Outreach:
Mentor and form spiritual
relationships with middle school pupils.
Jaci Curran, Local Outreach coordinator, said
there is no shortage of student volunteers for
these and other programs.
“It’s exciting to be given the chance to equip
students to be the hands and feet of Jesus,”
she said.
—LAURIE MERRILL
“King David knew that God is
like a shield. A shield protects us,”
Fallon said. “King David knew that
no matter what happened to him,
God would protect him. … If life
gets tough, God protects us.”
Fallon instructs the children to
clasp their hands together, close
their eyes, and shout: “I love God!”
The words are music to the ears of
junior nursing student Olivia Meek.
“The volunteers have such
passion and love for the kids,” Meek
said. “It’s so amazing to see so many
smiles. Sometimes I can’t even
explain howmuch I enjoy these kids.”
Britannee Carranza, a junior
justice studies student, said she had
to skip a few Saturdays and noticed
the difference.
“I missed the children so much,”
she said. “It’s so rewarding. Just
teaching the Word to them is so
cool.”
And watching them get the Word
is even cooler. Frankie Davis, 9, was
asked if his shield is protecting him.
“No,” he said, “but God is.”
