Lakyn Oliver: Humbled to Serve

She plays "Lost Sheep" hide-and-seek to get kids excited about learning

When Lakyn Oliver was just a freshman in high school, she began teaching 3 to 7 year olds at Holy Cross Church in Sheridan about God. Throughout high school, she never passed up the opportunity to make the Bible stories interactive, including her annual “Lost Sheep” hide-and-seek.

“The church actually had stuffed animal sheep. I’d hide them around the church and the kids would have to find them,” the now 19-year-old said. “I’d talk about how the shepherd found his lost sheep and how God will always find his lost sheep; we are his flock.”

As a sophomore at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro majoring in interdisciplinary studies, she stays connected to her faith by serving as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist on campus.

“In the Catholic Church it’s such a sacred event. Just be able to do that for God is such a humbling experience,” Oliver said.

She is active in Holy Cross’ Altar Society, which she’s helped with fundraisers for years.

“We do come from a small church and a lot of people don’t have a ton of money and that’s fine but seeing people come together to raise money for things, that strengthens my relationship with God,” Oliver said. “It has really touched my heart.”

If you could have an additional skill or talent, what would it be?

“It would be healing, anything that’s ailing a person, to be able to help them and not have to see them suffer. I guess that’s close to my heart because my mom is a cancer survivor.”

 

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