Building in destruction’s wake
Liberty recruits 50 students to help with disaster relief over Christmas break
Some people may find it hard to give thanks, even without a natural disaster ripping across their backyards. On the other hand, others who have lost their houses and family know all about giving thanks.
Relief — Liberty students help with Sandy clean up. Photo provided
According to their blog, the Salem Church gave some victims of Hurricane Sandy a reason to give thanks. The church in Staten Island partnered with Times Square Church to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for victims as they continue their disaster relief efforts with the intention of “rebuilding lives, not just homes.”
“We want to bring the peace of God to many of the victims whose lives have been turned upside down,” Pastor Ed Cole said. “I am happy to report to you that the Salem Disaster Relief Fund and teams of volunteers from Salem continue to touch scores of lives.”
Liberty University will be part of the disaster relief effort as the Center for Ministry Training (CMT) will send a team of volunteers to the Salem Church over winter break. The CMT has been working with the dean of the graduate school, Kevin Corsini, to organize a trip to New York City since before Thanksgiving break.
“Our desire is to help anyway we can,” Corsini said. “In a short amount of time, we’ve not only gotten quite a bit of interest but (also) support to deploy.”
The trip was approved by Liberty Nov. 29, and the CMT plans to recruit 50 students to help with rebuilding houses and post-disaster counseling. Students attending the trip will have all expenses paid for by the CMT and will travel to Staten Island along with members from the Southern Baptist Convention from Jan. 6 to 11, according to Scott MacLeod, associate director of the CMT.
“We want to show the victims that the reason we’re there is to help because we as Christians are commanded to show the light and hope of Christ that is within us,” MacLeod said.
According to administrative assistant Timothy Moroz, the team will build relationships, show Christ’s love and share the Gospel if given the chance.
“It breaks down a lot of spiritual walls when people you don’t know come to help you,” Moroz said. “It’s hard to understand why some of this happens, or why God allows it, but in the end, I think God knows what he is doing.”
This will be the second time the CMT will travel to New York.
“I mean, whenever you do something like this and the expenses are covered, there’s no reason not to go,” Moroz said. “We’re pretty pumped about it.”
Students interested in volunteering can contact Moroz at tgmoroz@liberty.edu or visit the CMT office located in the Performing Arts Hall.