Mid-America Christian University’s Day of Hope brought students, faculty, staff, families, and local nonprofit organizations together to serve communities across the Oklahoma City metro area.
Hosted through MACU’s Scraper Counseling Center and Mpact leaders, the event gave the MACU community an opportunity to put its mission into action through hands-on service. About 135 members of the MACU community and their families participated alongside representatives from 11 local nonprofit organizations.
Throughout the day, participants served through a variety of projects, including building furniture, writing letters, creating kits, drawing pictures, and completing other projects designed to support children, families, and individuals throughout Oklahoma City.
For Michelle Strain, Director of Counseling Services at Scraper Counseling Center, one of the most meaningful parts of the day was seeing the MACU community come together with a shared purpose.
The event also provided an opportunity to welcome members of the MACU community who may not regularly spend time on campus. Strain was especially encouraged by the non-traditional students and their families who attended Day of Hope.
“Some of the most special moments for me were talking to non-traditional students and their families who were on campus for the very first time,” she said. “They were so happy to be there, serving with their families, and took so much pride in MACU.”
Beyond serving local nonprofits, the event gave these families an opportunity to connect with MACU’s mission and vision in a tangible way.
For Strain, the day ultimately reflected a simple but meaningful calling: serving others.
“I was hoping students and the MACU community would take away a feeling of hope, pride in our community, and the satisfaction they served non-profits and people all over the metro area,” Strain said. “We serve others because God has asked us to and demonstrated how to serve others. It feels good to do what God has called us all to do!”
Despite an early start and the Oklahoma heat, Strain said she was proud of the community’s willingness to serve without complaint. She also recognized the Scraper Center team and Mpact leaders for their work in bringing the event together.
Day of Hope served as a reminder that meaningful service can take many forms, but its impact is shared. Through their time, creativity, and willingness to serve, the MACU community helped bring hope to people and organizations throughout the Oklahoma City area while living out the University’s vision of preparing people to do greater things for God and His Kingdom.