Trevecca students turn devastation into restoration

Wednesday, October 6 at 4:02 PM

Michael Rhodes stands beneath the "Service" banner at the entrance to the University.

Ministry is knocking on the door of the hearts of several students on campus: itís a call to Port St. Lucie, Florida, a city that suffered greatly from the recent natural disasters. Under the leadership of Michael Rhodes, a junior from Piedmont, Missouri, majoring in community development, sixteen students and two adult sponsors will drive more than 800 miles to minister through physical labor.

With the help of Jim Mahan, vice president of church relations; Michael Johnson, assistant dean of student development; and Steve Harris, dean of student development; and the financial support of several members of the Trevecca community, the group plans to prepare a church for re-roofing, clean up debris, and be available for any other assistance they can provide.

ìThe key is that we are going down there to be used to do absolutely anything,î says Rhodes. ìI know a lot of work needs to be done. We did a similar trip in 2001 after the attack on 9/11.î

Nazarene churches still stand and operate despite damage to their buildings, homes, and community. Church members have opened their homes to the students for lodging during the trip. The group will leave Friday, October 8, and will return Tuesday, October 12.