2008 Woodie Awards
SBU students reach out at First Friday Art Walk
Charlotte Holman
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: In the Spotlight
Bennett remembers a student who was so shy that during her first Art Walk experience, she sat in the Mudhouse and shook the entire time. The second time she was able to talk to complete strangers. While she was not able to share the gospel with anyone, Bennett considers her experience a success for simply breaking out of her comfort zone.
The students use three mile markers in a conversation to help them comfortably guide the conversation.
The first mile marker is friendship. The students pray that God will bring someone for them to connect with. They start conversations with strangers and try to find some common ground with that person. The first mile marker has been reached when the stranger realizes that he or she has something in common with the student; a friendship has been established. Bennett refers to this as the "small world experience."
"We're not looking for how many people we can talk to," explained Bennett. "We're just looking for the right person."
The second mile marker is the spiritual opening in the conversation. Students pray for one, expect one and look for it. Bennett prepares his students by supplying them with questions that could spark a spiritual discussion. The goal is to make this transition as smooth and relaxed as possible. The students are instructed to listen to the person's answers until they are finished.
The hope is that by sincerely listening to the person, the students will get a chance then to share their beliefs.
"When you listen, you win the right to be heard," said Bennett.
Once the student has been able to share their beliefs, the student has reached the third mile marker. If the person is interested in learning more, the rest is up to the student. No matter how the conversation goes, the students try to follow up on each person through phone calls or e-mails.
"I really like how Bennett does it because he focuses on building relationships with people instead of going and telling people they are dying and going to hell," said senior Kaila Hedger.
The students use three mile markers in a conversation to help them comfortably guide the conversation.
The first mile marker is friendship. The students pray that God will bring someone for them to connect with. They start conversations with strangers and try to find some common ground with that person. The first mile marker has been reached when the stranger realizes that he or she has something in common with the student; a friendship has been established. Bennett refers to this as the "small world experience."
"We're not looking for how many people we can talk to," explained Bennett. "We're just looking for the right person."
The second mile marker is the spiritual opening in the conversation. Students pray for one, expect one and look for it. Bennett prepares his students by supplying them with questions that could spark a spiritual discussion. The goal is to make this transition as smooth and relaxed as possible. The students are instructed to listen to the person's answers until they are finished.
The hope is that by sincerely listening to the person, the students will get a chance then to share their beliefs.
"When you listen, you win the right to be heard," said Bennett.
Once the student has been able to share their beliefs, the student has reached the third mile marker. If the person is interested in learning more, the rest is up to the student. No matter how the conversation goes, the students try to follow up on each person through phone calls or e-mails.
"I really like how Bennett does it because he focuses on building relationships with people instead of going and telling people they are dying and going to hell," said senior Kaila Hedger.
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