Tam Odom has left the state. Yes, you heard me: she is gone. I’ve been told (and we can not confirm this from anyone at Charleston Southern University) is the last thing she said was, “I’m going to follow Jesus.” We’re cool with that, but where is she and did she find Him?
While on their Spring Break 2012 mission trip in Orlando, some of the Charleston Southern University staff and students visited the big fella at Disney World (a.k.a. “The Happiest Place on Earth”).
Tam Odom, CSU’s Director of Women’s Ministries, tweeted the above image and this note:
Joined the #mickeymouseclub today! Now me and @therealxtina can be BFF! instagr.am/p/IIROr6gIcr/
— Tam Odom (@tamodom) March 13, 2012
It reminded me of this blog post from Soul Caffeine, after the blogger ”took in all the sights and sounds of Walt Disney’s creative masterpiece … (and) realized that Disney World is actually doing a better job of carrying out certain aspects of the Church’s G0d-given mission,” noting, we would do well to learn these lessons from Disney:
1. VALUE KIDS. Disney elevates the value of children to the highest levels, and while Jesus raised the value of children more than any person in history (including Walt Disney). The laughter of children should be the soundtrack.
2. VALUE CREATIVITY. God is the most creative force in the universe and His Body (the Church) should be the most creative force on earth.
3. VALUE EXCELLENCE. Every detail at Disney is executed with excellence. Excellence honors God and inspires people.
4. VALUE CHANGE. Disney is always looking to the future while building on their past. The Church should be the most innovative organization on earth.
5. VALUE DIVERSITY. God’s Kingdom is made up of people from all nations, races and backgrounds; so is Disney World. God calls us to unity, not uniformity.
6. SMILE. Happiness is based on outward circumstances, but we have the joy of the LORD which nobody can take away.
The Charleston Southern University team continues their mission project this week at Redeemer Church in Orlando. You can follow their journey on Twitter @tamodom or visit Dean of Students Clark Carter on his blog for more entries.
A team of 22 Charleston Southern University staff and students are in Orlando, Florida this week — yes, on Spring Break. This is the second year CSU has sent a team of students to Redeemer Church to serve.
Last year, Charleston Southern spent three days helping the church to renovate their Bible Study rooms. Charleston Southern’s Dean of Students Clark Carter said this year’s team is doing more outreach in the community. On his blog, Carter wrote:
We overcame the time change and made it to Redeemer Church on hour early this morning. Our students enjoyed worshipping with the church and hearing Pastor Andrew share about what it means to be a “transformed church.” He shared from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and mentioned that a transformed church is called to sacrifice, to share, and to serve. Needless to say, this message really resonated with our students. Really, that is what missions is all about! We sacrifice time, energy, and resources to serve others. We share kindness, possessions, and time with those who need it. We serve selflessly, intentionally, and passionately.
Tam Odom, Director of Women’s Ministries at CSU, has been tweeting pics and news from Orlando:
the team is working hard to move things back in the classrooms and sanctuary. #cleaning #sbmtorlando
— Tam Odom (@tamodom) March 12, 2012
This is a great example of the heart and spirit surrounding the University. You can follow CSU students Spring Break ’12 journey on Twitter @tamodom or visit Clark Carter’s blog here.
Are you on Twitter? You can follow Charleston Southern University @csuniv, and connect with our faculty, staff, coaches and programs too:
College of Adult and Professional Studies (@csuonline)
Dr. Rick Brewer (@rickbrewer)
Dr. Peter Beck (@drpeterbeck)
CSU Residence Life (@csu_reslife)
Tam Odom (@tamodom)
Elevate (@csuelevate)
Bucko the Buccaneer (@buckobuckaneer)
CSU Sports (csusports)
Buc Online (CSU student online newspaper) (@buc_online)
Clark Carter (@clarkcarter)
Jay Mills (@coachjmills)
The Passion 2012 Conference in Atlanta more than 45,000 college students from all 50 states and 30 countries packed the Georgia Dome this week.
The goal was to raise one million dollars to fight sex trafficking. The college students met their goal on Wednesday, one day before the conference ended.
Charleston Southern University chapel pastor Jon Davis and Tam Odom, director of women’s ministries at CSU, were just two of the staff reps in Atlanta this week.
CSU Blogs has been posting photos and links to Tam’s live Twitter feed at the conference.
Desiring God is an amazing blog that I read regularly. This morning, Jonathan Parnell is calling for prayer for the Passion conference [watch the LIVE stream here] that continues through Thursday in Atlanta. More than 45,000 — 45,000! — college students are in attendance including Charleston Southern University staff and students.
Parnell wrote:
We ask that you would pray with us for a mighty movement of God at this event, and for a ripple effect that reaches through this generation to touch the nations. These students represent 45,000 lifetimes that we pray would make an impact on this world for the glory of Jesus.
With Joshua, we ask the Lord, “And what will you do for your great name?”
You can follow the events by following Tam Odom on Twitter @tamodom:
Tam Odom is tweeting live from Passion 2012 at the Georgia Dome. Follow Tam on Twitter @tamodom. The conference continues through Thursday and Tam has been feeding us cool updates and photos of her experience, like this great shot:
