Ten Students from Gardner-Webb Help with Rebuild Efforts in Waynesville and Fletcher, N.C.

Group Spends Spring Break Volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Instead of traveling out-of-state this year, Neal Payne, Gardner-Webb associate minister to the University for Student Ministries, and 10 students from Gardner-Webb went to Black Mountain, N.C., to help rebuild homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

Several organizations are helping in the area, including Baptists on Mission. Another team from Gardner-Webb led by Dr. Nicole Waters, dean of the College of Health Sciences and interim provost; and Dr. Candice Rome, professor of nursing, worked with the Baptist group during spring break. Read about their efforts here. 

During the week, some of Payne’s group was filmed by a news crew from WLOS in Asheville, N.C. Half of the GWU students restored a home in Fletcher, N.C., and the others helped with a rebuild in Waynesville, N.C.

Troy Berchoff, of Mooresville, N.C., an English major who is minoring in biblical studies, was part of the Fletcher crew. “Across the hours I spent sawing, drilling, and chiseling, I perceived God in many ways,” Berchoff described. “He was in the cracked window I forcefully took out with our foreman, the yellow daffodils that constantly waved at us every time we walked by, and the picnic table, which had floated in from the flood, that served as our lunch spot. Knowing God in ways like that made me full.”

Berchoff said the Samaritan’s Purse team they worked with strives to create a sense of community between the homeowners and the volunteers. “From our first day, our team bonded, and we honestly enjoyed the shared work being accomplished,” he observed.

Elizabeth Qualls, a freshman communication studies major, also worked at the Fletcher site. She was inspired as she witnessed not only the faith of the homeowners they were helping, but the faith of all the residents in the area affected by the hurricane. “I learned that whatever storm in your life that you go through, whether a spiritual battle, or a physical flood, it is necessary to cling to God, in every circumstance,” she shared. “I also learned more about importance of service and being sent to the mission field.”

The students learned how to use nail guns, saws, and drills, and build walls. “A lot of them had never done that before, but by the end of the week, we were able to leave them to the section,” Payne related. “We’d say, ‘Y’all have to take care of that,’ and they’re measuring and cutting and shooting. And they love to work really hard.”

They worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and a half day on Friday. One of the houses they worked on belonged to a couple in their early 70s. “They had lived in this house all of their married life,” Payne described. “It was located in a low-lying part of Waynesville, in a lower-income neighborhood. Water came up over the creek that was several hundred yards away from their home. They sat on the hillside and watched the water flow through their house. It didn’t wash their house away, but it was damaged. They ended up having to tear their house down, because it just destroyed everything in it. We were doing a new rebuild for them. Here they are in their 70s having to start their lives all over again.”

Psychology major Matthew Greene, of Knoxville, Tenn., worked at the couple’s home. He said meeting the homeowners and hearing them share their faith had the greatest impact on him. During their time together, the Samaritan’s Purse leader showed the group a rock that had “Jesus” written on it. It had been given to him by someone he had helped that day. “He passed the rock around and it ended at my table,” Greene related. “I went to give him the rock back, and he let me keep it. Instead of keeping it, I gave it to the homeowners. They were super appreciative and said they loved me. It felt really good to give hope to someone in need and to show them they were seen by their brother in Christ.”

Participating students:

• Will Altman
• Troy Berchoff
• Russell Frederick
• Matthew Greene
• Isaiah LaNave
• Elizabeth Qualls
• Hildi Smith
• Madison Turner
• Aubry Wiggins
• Emma Wooten

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.