Empowered to Serve

Thank you to Angela Houk, Dean of Academics, for writing today's blog.


Appropriate Independence™ (Ai) is the guiding philosophy of Shepherds College that emphasizes the value of every individual and equips students to maximize their abilities and strengths.[1] Ai is defined as supported self-sufficiency that is aligned with the strengths of each individual and guided by Christian values. Dr. Russ Kinkade, the Executive Vice President of Shepherds Ministries, has authored Appropriate Independence: Potential Realized as a blueprint for Shepherds Ministries. The four principles of Appropriate Independence include:

     1. God has designed each person on purpose and for a purpose

     2. God has created people as individuals, for a community

     3. Our purpose is to train for life

     4. Our goal is to empower individuals to serve[2]

The principles of Ai have been woven into the every aspect of Shepherds College through the three-year housing design, residential programming, academic curriculum, and vocational training. Students learn how to live in community, manage personal hygiene, balance time restraints, complete class assignments, and make positive choices. Classes and programming at Shepherds College are designed to encourage students to live to their full potential. Serving is a great way to meet people, use one’s gifts and talents, and make a difference in the lives of others. Empowering to serve entails the process of “releasing others to pursue and achieve their ordained purpose.”[3]

Students from Shepherds College have taken the challenge to serve others by committing to volunteer monthly at Willow Creek Church. Alyson Piatt, advisor and instructor, oversees students serving at Willow Creek Church. Students assist in a Saturday evening respite program: playing games and leading songs with children with disabilities, while their parents attend a parent/caregiver support group.

On Saturday, April 25, 2015, students participated in packing seeds for the Celebration of Hope which is a yearly Compassion and Justice Campaign for Willow Creek Community Church. The goal of the campaign is to make a difference in fighting against global poverty. Students packed seeds that will be sent to families in Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and El Salvador. Each seed pack can grow up to 1,000 pounds of vegetables, providing families with food and income.[4]

What an exciting opportunity for Shepherds College students to gain awareness about global poverty and make a difference through serving.

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[1]Kinkade, Dr. Russ.  Appropriate Independence:  Potential Realized.  (Union Grove, WI:  Shepherds Baptist Ministries, 2006), 2.

[2] Shepherds Ministries, “Appropriate Independence,” http://www.shepherdsministries.org/?page=AppropriateIndepend (accessed June 20, 2009).

[3] Kinkade, Dr. Russ.  Appropriate Independence:  Potential Realized.  (Union Grove, WI:  Shepherds Baptist Ministries, 2006), 41.

[4] Willow Creek Community Church, Celebration of Hope:  Seed Packing.  http://coh2015.willowcreek.org/pack-seeds (accessed April 26, 2015). 

 


Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.