Everyday student: Abby Smith

Senior Abby Smith has a love for Jesus and a passion for missions.

FAITH BASED | After being born in Kenya, senior Abby Smith lived in Jinja, Uganda, for seven years with her parents who were part of a mission team. When she was 7, Smith’s family moved to England for a year and a half before moving to Springfield, Missouri, where Smith has lived the last 13 years.

NEW COMMUNITY | During her time in Springfield, Smith attended Camp Tahkodah in the summers. She said meeting Harding students who worked as camp counselors was a driving force behind her choice to attend the University. “All the counselors were Harding students. I thought they were the coolest thing ever, and I wanted to be like them. I thought they were fun, and I saw that they loved Jesus. What really made me want to come here was how amazing Harding’s community is, the connections and friendships I already had here, and the opportunities provided for study abroad and missions — I wanted to be a part of that. I saw the beauty of community. I wanted to grow in that.”

EXPANDING ROOTS | Smith returned to Uganda with two other students as part of the Kibo Fellowship internship in 2015. The group stayed in Jinja for five weeks and learned firsthand the work of Kibo. Upon their return, the students became advocates for the program and its partnership with Kibo Midnight Oil Coffeehouse in Searcy. “That was incredible to be a part of last year because now more people know about Kibo Midnight Oil — which is so much more than just a coffeehouse. It’s actually really helping develop sustainable communities in East Africa, so that’s an incredible thing.”

SERVING | At the start of the 2015 fall semester, Smith served as a devotional director for Impact, a first-year student orientation program. She served as a co-director for Impact 2016. Currently, Smith is the spiritual life committee leader and senior female representative for the Student Association. She is a general studies major with a focus in public relations and Bible. She plans to pursue a master’s in divinity or theology.

TRUE IDENTITY | “What I’ve learned the last couple years is that, when I worship the Lord, I am the most me — I’m the most comfortable, the most confident, the most secure, the most restful, the most alive. I’m really passionate about leading people to a place of worship because worship is so much more than just singing to God. It also affirms our identity, confirms who God is, and connects us to heaven. Whenever we grow in our deep knowledge of what worship is and grow in our love for worship, it changes everything.”

— Savanna DiStefano