Written by Amanda Toye
As a Church of Christ-affiliated university, Harding can struggle when welcoming students from different denominations. Because Searcy is a hub for churches of various beliefs, from Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Non-denominational, Orthodox and Episcopal churches, students and community members have many options.
Sophomore Keaton Rochelle and assistant youth pastor for seventh through ninth graders spoke about his experience as a part of Fellowship, a non-denominational church in Searcy.
“Fellowship is a non-denominational church, they accept anyone and are willing to take in anyone because that’s what Jesus would do,” Rochelle said. “I think a lot of people are Church of Christ here at Harding, but at the same time there’s a lot of people that come that are Baptist, non-denominational, or that are here because they don’t per-say, have religion.”
Rochelle said that Fellowship has more members from the Searcy community than Harding students, on average. Rochelle has felt fulfillment by being in a position to help young students who need it the most.
Trinity Episcopal church, located in downtown Searcy, is known for its helpful attitude and outreach toward the community. Offering a free food pantry that anyone in the community can utilize or donate to, as well as a fence on which they hang winter clothing for those in need, Trinity Episcopal has created a welcoming environment for all.
Reverend Mark Harris, the Priest at Trinity shared some of his experiences with the Searcy community.
“We are called to be evangelists to the community in whatever way, shape or form that takes,” Harris said. “That’s what animates us. The core common Christian message of salvation in Christ Jesus. Then the rest of what animates us is our history and tradition of the Church of England, where the Episcopal church takes its heritage.”
Harris described how anyone is welcome to donate to the pantry or hang clothing on the fence.
“I’ve met many, many people from around town simply stopping in to stock the pantry,” Harris said. “During the really cold months of December, January and February, we will put out a little sign that just says, ‘Trinity giving fence.’”
Freshman Racheal Sims has attended an Anglican church for much of her life. While at school, she attends St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and The Church of the Holy Trinity, an Antiochian Orthodox church, which are both located in Little Rock.
“The biggest thing is tradition,” Sims said. “They are sacramental churches. The church services are what we call a liturgy. We form ourselves in the church that can reflect ourselves in our lives.”
