Clicktivist to Activist

Photo: Austin Ho
young. “Your years as a student place
you in an ideal incubator for acting on
your dreams. You’re surrounded by a
large network of fellow young people to
plan, scheme, and dream with,” he says.
“To miss out on service involvement
during school is to miss the stop to one
of life’s most epic adventures.”
Though Noshaq is no longer active,
Whiting—now a staff assistant for U.S.
Senator Susan Collins (Maine)—hopes
to continue being involved in the causes
closest to his heart. “I don’t know what
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Andrews
University Business Administration
major Steve Erich (left), who also
serves as operations manager for the
Stoplight Project to help end human
trafficking, discusses program strategies
with other members of the nonprofit
organization.
adventures await me, or if Afghanistan
will reenter my life. But I sincerely hope
that service will remain a prominent
part of my life and career.”
A Generation of Doers
Paddy McCoy, the campus chaplain of
Walla Walla University, believes that the
young people he encounters in his ministry
are far more passionate than
they’re given credit for. “I see a very
active group of young adults who want
to do something and get their hands
dirty. Sure, there are those who feel that
as long as they donate here or there
they’ve given their service. But by and
large, this generation is waiting to be let
loose,” he said. “They are not a complacent
generation.”
In his many years of youth ministry
McCoy has witnessed a change that he
describes as “incredible” in how stu-
dents use social media. “Today’s socialmedia
generation can accomplish
grassroots movements that have a huge
impact in a very short amount of time,”
he says. “The opportunities that social
media provide to get the word out, to
fund-raise, and to promote causes . . .
are quite astounding.”
McCoy believes that younger and
older generations can work together to
bring a message to those who need it.
“If others can help them see how and
where to help and meet the greatest
needs, then they are willing to do
it. They also need help knowing how
best to take the good-news message to
other places,” he said.
Sharon Pittman has found much of
the same attitude in her work with
young adults. She is director of the
newly minted Master of Global Community
Development program at Southern
Adventist University, 6 “Engaging
students in mission-focused ministries
is an ‘easy sell,’ Pittman says. “They see
the often harsh and hurting world and
are highly motivated and looking for
opportunities to make a difference. As
an Adventist professor, my job is to link
their passion and skills to opportunities
to engage in sustainable service
learning ministries.”
Pittman’s own involvement in service
began at an early age. “As a missionary
kid growing up in Pakistan, where my
parents work at our Seventh-day Ad-
Benefits of
Volunteering
INFORMATION COMPILED BY JANELLE COLLINS
There’s nothing quite like giving back. Whether
it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen or going on a
short-term mission trip, lending your time to care
for others is part of our God-given mission. And
there are personal plusses as well. Here are five
benefits of giving back:*
Developing a New Skill—No matter
your professional field, volunteering can
provide access to a whole new set of skills.
From technology to conservation methods,
volunteering offers a wide range of opportunities
for you to grow your skill set or use
what you already know in new ways.
Meeting New People—After a few
years in the same town, industry, or church,
your social circle becomes set. Volunteering
can introduce you to new groups of people
and is a good opportunity to meet others
outside your faith. This offers the opportunity
to witness to those you otherwise
wouldn’t meet.
20 (1044) | www.AdventistReview.org | November 21, 2013