The Bible missions course that takes place on the Harding University Tahkodah training campground will be offered for two weeks in August this year instead of during May’s Intersession. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the class has been moved to Aug. 10-21, two weeks before fall classes begin.

The course, commonly known as HUT, gives students the chance to be fully immersed in global village environments built to represent the living conditions of those in developing countries. HUT Director O’neal Tankersley decided not to move the course online because of the hands-on experience that makes the class effective and meaningful. 

“One of the most amazing parts of the HUT course is that each year a large number of our former students eagerly volunteer to help us with the current class,” Tankersley said. “They do this because the class has made such a big impact on their lives that they want to share in making that same impact on the lives of other students … For me, personally, the HUT course is one of the high points of my year as I get to know and serve with so many wonderful students and other older volunteers who come to help.”

The class can be taken for up to three hours of credit and can satisfy the global literacy requirement for students. Tankersley believes this class is one of the best educational experiences in Christian services that Harding has to offer. He said he enjoys watching students who volunteer and enroll in the course grow and challenge their faith. 

Junior Maddy Hall took the class in 2019 and shared eye-opening experiences about the class. Hall decided to take the class for no class credit because she wanted to learn from a course like no other. She wanted to learn about foreign missions and knew the course would be a challenging and transformative experience. HUT trains students to see foreign missions as a sustainable ministry that respects cultures unlike their own. 

“HUT taught me that Jesus is working in every place and in every person,” Hall said. “The friendships that HUT gave me have continued to challenge me in my walk with the Lord and to show me love in the way of God. I learned to embrace challenges with the help of Jesus, knowing for certain that he would walk me to the other side and make me better for it.”

Senior Ashley Webb participated in the course before studying abroad at Harding University in Zambia (HIZ) in 2017, as most students do before attending HIZ. Webb described HUT as an experience that teaches students different aspects of missions in all kinds of different cultures, such as teaching participants to be prepared for all scenarios that could happen in the mission field. 

“HUT was probably the best experience I’ve had while at Harding,” Webb said. “I would highly recommend it to everyone, but especially to anyone who has an interest in missions.” 

Tankersley encouraged students to continue signing up for the course and confirmed that spots are still available for anyone wishing to enroll. He said the team will be pleased to correspond with anyone who might be interested in the course and would love to answer any questions. For more information, reach out to Tankersley and his team at HUT@harding.edu.