ENID, OK (April 18, 2022) — Oklahoma Bible Academy students complete service hours as part of their curriculum. While a certain number of hours is required each year, the focus remains on developing students’ character and a heart for service, OBA Senior Blake Miller said. Service projects vary greatly, as students are able to choose where they serve. To stay up to date with student projects, please visit the official Facebook or Instagram page for Oklahoma Bible Academy at www.facebook.com/OklahomaBibleAcademy or www.instagram.com/OklahomaBibleAcademy.
Service hours become part of students’ curriculum in ninth grade. Each year, more hours are required. “It’s nice that you can finish your hours in the summer,” Miller said. “I usually have all of my hours finished before the school year starts.” As a Senior, Miller has accumulated quite a few hours over the years, serving in his church, at various summer camps, and helping during a training at Autry Technology Center. “I’ve got 25… 50…51…55…140 hours, maybe a few more,” Miller said.
Popular avenues for service are Vacation Bible Schools and other Summer Camps, but students get creative with serving in places that pique their interest most. For example, OBA Sophomore Ian Easton said his favorite service project was at the “Enter His Gates” Summer Camp, located near Fairmont, OK. “I got to help out with the kids fishing,” Easton said. “It’s fun to see how excited they are.” OBA Sophomore Nick Boeckman was also creative with using his hours. When an elderly man moved into an assisted living residence, Boeckman received service hours by stepping up and caring for this man’s lawn.
Service hours are part of OBA’s Bible Curriculum. “If you don’t complete [your service hours], it’s about 10 or 20 points off. I’m actually not sure how many, because the focus really is on encouraging us to serve more than about being graded for it,” Easton said. Miller echoed this sentiment, “It’s a requirement of the school, but the mindset is to have the attitude of a servant,” he said.
As the 2021-2022 school year winds down, Seniors are wrapping up their service hours, and incoming Freshmen are looking to begin their hours for the 2022 – 2023 school year. If you have an opportunity for OBA students to serve, contact the front office at (580) 242-4104, or email oba@oklahomabible.com.
