Reporting was contributed by Kristi Soto.
The ACTS Experience, created by the Mitchell Center,was held March22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Inviting listeners toa day full of informative lessons on the integration ofarts,culture, technology and service, the eventfeatured 12 speakers from a number offields who sharedtheir personal insights into the faith and purpose behind their work.
The event took place in the Lee Building and was constructed to resemble a TEDTalk. Speakers included President McLarty, Terry Davis, Dr. Melanie Lowry, Dr. Jim Miller, Coach Greg Harris, Dr. Larry Long, Dr. Cheri Yecke, Dr. Monte Cox, Karen Kelly, Nate Copeland, Dr. Andrew Baker and singer/songwriterBen Rector.
Baker spearheaded the entire event and concept and hopes that it will be replicated at other universities.
“I hope it’s a formula that we can recreate at a lot of schools,”Baker said.
Hesaidthe concept gives students “ideas to think about and actions that are doable.”
Bakersaidthe objective of the ACTS Experience is to present a new mindset and lens toviewlife and work. New visions could spark new missions, Baker said.
“The more ideas you are introduced to, the better; maybe you find out that you need to be studying something completely different,”Baker said. “That’s the goal:ideas and action. We give you ideas to think about,and we are going to call you to some actions that are doable.”
Freshman David Taylor said the day wasmemorable and educational.
“This weekend has been a really cool experience to get to hear a lot of different people and hear about what we really need to know as college students and the things that we kindof just set aside as not worthwhile,”Taylor said. “Just seeing the value in it all isreally neat. It has been a very unique opportunity, I have enjoyed it a lot.”
Taylor said his favorite speaker wasalumnusTerry Davis,director of Corners Outreach, a unique community partnership and tutoring program for children in Norcross, Georgia.
“He spoke about the inner city ministry he is involved with, and it was really cool to see him talking about the untouchables andhow they are the people who need to be touched by our community and how so often they are overlooked,”Taylor said. “Just that touch and being a part of their lives is such a big deal.”
Musician Ben Rector brought a new perspective to the series by giving his personal convictions on creativity and the refining process of discipline.
“I redefined my creative process by onlycatching big fish;so with that,I started fishing less. I don’t need a little fish;I need a big fish,”Rectorsaid. “I don’t need an OK song; I need a great song–anythingthat is going to grab people.”
Rectorsaidthough talent is impressiveand entertaining, true talent is only displayed well when it has been disciplined and cultivated.
Dr. Monte Cox brought the day to a conclusion and summarized the mission of ACTS.
“God is not going to care if I was well off in the world, or if I was well liked by others.He cares to see if I was useful;he must become greater and I must become less. “Cox said. “In the end,we need to be useful as we try to communicate our faith in an effective way in a foreign place we call America.”
Baker closed the day by introducing the ACTS app, a platform where people will be called to action. The app will give an environment where ideas are presented and action opportunities are given. The app is set to launch in April.
