Three Indiana Academy (IA) students, Linda Ferguson, Carol Lopez, and Ryan Thurber, reached out to hurting members of their community. Residents of Tipton and Hamilton counties were stunned with the news of a tragic automobile accident involving four of their teenagers. Two were killed instantly; one was hospitalized, and another was treated and released.

Although Linda, Carol, and Ryan did not know the teens, they were moved to learn Hamilton Heights High School students organized a fund-raising event for the victims' families. The benefit concert and memorial service would feature music, poetry, and scripture. They heard about the benefit concert from Andrew Lay, IA music teacher.

One of the individuals distributing fliers for the event at a local restaurant asked Andrew if he thought any IA students would want to join the Hamilton Heights students in helping the families of the teens. Andrew returned to the campus with the news of the opportunity.

With the support of their music teacher and Luis Beltre, academy chaplain, Linda, Carol, and Ryan arrived at the high school gymnasium early. Recognizing their need of God’s Spirit, they prayed that God would bring comfort and encouragement to the grieving families, students, and faculty through them. Praying calmed their nerves and assured them in their role of representing Christ's love to their community.

Ryan and Linda directed the listeners to seek God in their struggles to understand life’s difficult and painful circumstances. Their song, “Worlds Apart,” popularized by the Christian group Jars of Clay, was recognized by a number of the students. Carol’s piano solo brought a sense of peace as the students listened in silence. Luis sang "Beyond This World," believing the victims' families needed something greater than their present circumstances to hold onto.

Those in attendance couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast of the music of their Adventist neighbors. Coincidently, or perhaps by God’s design, a television crew recorded two of their songs as part of the reporter’s story.

Organizers expressed appreciation to the IA students and faculty for their contribution to the cause and their support of the community. Admitting feelings of nervousness, Carol, Linda, and Ryan know that God was there to help them.

Linda visited and prayed with a student after the concert who shared how the tragedy effected her personally. Linda observed, "This was a perfect opportunity to show our community we care and to point them to God for comfort."

“I’m glad to be able to have a chance to witness for Jesus,” exclaimed Ryan.

Carol was also glad to participate in "a great opportunity to show support to the community."

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Herald editor.