Every Liberty University student is required to fulfill a certain amount of Christian service (CSER) hours to graduate.
While some may view service hours as just another box to check on their degree completion plan, many students discover that giving their time to a worthy cause provides growth and purpose.
Students shared how wonderful CSER has been during their time at Liberty.
Caeden Justine
For sophomore Caeden Justine, the role of a Community Group Leader (CGL) is to be involved in a brotherly, relational ministry. He leads his group in creating a social environment that fosters honesty and spiritual growth.
“There is a lot of purpose in being a CGL,” Justine said. “People being my ministry … that’s something I’m really passionate about, is just building relationships.”
In order to balance full-time academics with spiritual leadership, Justine stays committed to his personal prayer time. He finds that spending time in the prayer chapel every day keeps his heart open to God’s presence.
Justine emphasizes the vast number of places that need service.
“When you look at all of the options and opportunities you have for fulfilling CSER, you can find something you’re passionate about, and then that service … doesn’t even feel like work anymore,” Justine said.
Justine holds Colossians 3:23 and Galatians 2:20 close to his heart, continually viewing his work as done unto the Lord.
Leif Severson
Freshman Leif Severson serves on campus as a representative for his hall in the Student Government Association (SGA) House of Representatives. Severson has always been interested in government, so when he learned about SGA shortly after arriving on campus, he took the opportunity.
“Student government is a great way to impact student life in every facet,” Severson said.
Severson intends to address student needs and make their requests known. His main goal is to make campus life more enjoyable.
Getting involved in student government has already shown Severson the responsibility and efficiency required for effective student leadership.
“For CSER, it is a great opportunity to serve, which is something everyone should do, especially with a Christian faith,” Severson said. “Just helping those that need it, it can honestly be more of a blessing for you than it is for them.”
Stephen Lewis
Senior Stephen Lewis served as a research assistant with the Manumission Project through the Helms School of Government.
The Manumission Project is an archival initiative that finds, transcribes and publishes historical court records, such as deeds from the 18th and 19th centuries that detail the voluntary freeing of enslaved people in Virginia before emancipation.
As a history major struggling to find a CSER that compelled him, Lewis stumbled upon the project and soon realized that his passion for historical documents made him a perfect fit for the job. His role involves searching databases for county court records, cataloging and scanning them, and preparing files for publication so that they can be accessed freely online.
“These are real court documents … it’s just really fascinating to see within the documents themselves the different life situations of other people,” Lewis said.
Beyond the historical value, Lewis notes that the precise nature of the work taught him intentionality, thoroughness and an awareness of the bigger picture. He encourages others to recognize the growth within CSER opportunities.
“There really is a lot that can be done through this, and it can help professionally and practically,” Lewis said. “It’s valuable to go out and do those things.”
Schoonmaker is a POV reporter for The Liberty Champion.