Biola University celebrated its 116th birthday with a number of events, including serving those experiencing homelessness in downtown Los Angeles. Just a mile from Biola’s original campus at Hope and 6th St. where Biola was founded, a group of students served the homeless community at MacArthur Park in collaboration with the Dream Center on Wednesday, February 21.

“(As) Biola prepared to celebrate our 116th birthday, we thought, ‘What greater way to celebrate than to go back to our historic roots and serve others in Los Angeles?’” said Carla Logie, assistant director of Student Enrichment and Intercultural Development at Biola.

Inspired by Biola University’s founding and mission to prepare men and women to impact the world for Jesus Christ, Logie organized the serve day with her team in partnership with the Dream Center in Los Angeles. The center provides support to those affected by homelessness, hunger and lack of education with an aim “to empower lives and communities through the transforming love of Christ; body, soul, and spirit.”

Upon arriving at the Dream Center, the Biola team met the team of leaders, young adults and students of the Dream Center Leadership School whom Biola volunteers worked alongside for the day. Amongst the massive center busy with outreach, ministry and other volunteer teams, the group worked together to prepare hot dogs and beverages to pass out to those in need and pray over the day.

The Dream Team was recognized almost immediately when they arrived at MacArthur park and Biola volunteers were quickly welcomed into the community the team had cultivated there through their servitude.

“The goal is to come out here and be a presence that is consistent,” said one of the members there from the Dream Center Leadership School. “We like to come out and just love on them and help them to see that, we see them, and that above that God sees them.”

As you walk through the park you can’t miss the huddles of tents on the lakeside, pairs and groups huddled in the shade of the trees with makeshift umbrellas; the park was full with everyone enjoying the sunshine after days of rain. By sharing food, the window was opened for conversation and for volunteers to encourage the community at MacArthur Park.

“I talked to the first person I met in the park — an elderly lady who was so grateful for the little food we could offer her,” said Debbie Junge, one of the Biola student volunteers. “She asked for prayer, and I was able to pray for her and her grandchildren that were with her. This first experience was wonderful, and I felt prepared and ready to go on with joy.”

Through conversations, the team got to participate in sharing the love of Christ and praying over those who desired it. The group also handed out flyers to anyone asking about the Dream Center, ministry, rehabilitation or other resources available.

“I still remember some of the conversations I had during those few hours, and I will keep on praying for the people,” Junge said. “God can use you and me to give testimony of what He has done for us — and for everyone who believes in Him!”

Learn more about Biola’s history and founding.

Written by Jalin Cerillo, University Communications intern. For more information, contact Media Relations at media.relations@biola.edu.