Greenville College Annual Report 2002-03

Wanted: Strong back and empty hands.

Twice a week Greenville College students pile into a van for the hour-long trek into East St. Louis and the Christian Activity Center (CAC). As they start their journey the vista offers farms and fields, but by the trip's end, the picture changes altogether. Instead of neatly manicured suburban lawns, decrepit buildings and houses gutted by fire line the streets. As soon as the students arrive at the center, small children with their arms in the air race up to them, longing to be picked up and held close.

“My first experience at the center was a powerful one,” said senior Christy Grimes. “As I was about to leave an eight year old girl grabbed my hand. ‘Hold my hand,' she said, ‘and don't let go, so I won't get lost or shot, or raped.'”

Experiences like this one allow students to stretch out of their comfort zones and encourage a heart for service. Though they are there to affect the children's lives for the better, the volunteers find themselves in a transformational process of their own.

“Walking into the CAC for the first time was a shock. I expected the children to be shy and tentative,” said Grimes. “As the new person, I became a jungle gym the moment I walked in the door.”

“My favorite part of going to the center is meeting kids that need to be loved so much,” said senior Candice Stevenson, who directs the G.C. ministry. “They are so happy to see you the very first time you go. It is so different from the way most people act.”

She added that leaving Greenville twice a week made her more grounded.

“It's a reality check.”

Since the early 90's, Greenville College has sent students to the CAC as part of the Greenville Student Outreach (GSO) program, a group that provides a variety of student-run ministry opportunities. At the CAC students perform a range of activities, including concerts, music classes, and carnivals.

“Our goal is to let the children experience the love of God through how they are treated and the way we teach them to treat others,” said CAC director Chet Cantrell, “We nurture their spiritual side. This is a safe and loving place for kids that primarily raise themselves.”

The CAC hosts an after school program for children age 3-18 and life enhancement classes in the evening. Established over 100 years ago, it continues to be a resource to the community by supplying recreation, health education, a medical ministry, and computer education, as well as a tutoring program.

During one visit, Stevenson saw the disparities between her own and the childrens' lives. Three pre-teen sisters shared their wish to show their mother a present each had received from their grandmother. The gift was a pair of socks. The problem? Their mother was in jail. The sisters hoped she would be out by Christmas.

“I realized my life at their age was much different,” Stevenson said. “It is usually all fun and smiles, but every now and then I see the real moments of life.”

Last updated: January 12, 2004