In case you haven't heard, the greater Nashville area is experiencing its worst flooding ever (at least according to all records on file).
While damage estimates are projected to be in the billions of dollars, much of the BU family is reporting minimal damage - we're very thankful. Not having to be overly concerned with the campus, we're beginning to look outward. We've spent the last couple of days in campus-wide meetings trying to figure out how best to respond as a Christian academic community.
The Office of University Ministries and Spiritual Development have been asked to provide significant leadership to our campus-wide efforts, given the fact that we've led teams of students on numerous relief efforts over the course of our time on campus - just never quite so close to home.
Our current situation has me wondering about other campuses out there... If asked,
- would you be ready to lead out on your campus?
- would you be invited 'to the table' to help coordinate a campus-wide effort?
- would you be seen as a team player?
- would you be seen as a credible resource?
- would your ministry be equipped to mobilize teams - if not large portions of the campus - to assist in relief efforts?
We never know when the opportunity to serve is going to present itself. When it happens in your home town you don't want to be scrambling to come up with a first-time game plan.
There are obvious factors that need to be considered when looking to provide helpful - meaningful - assistance to those in need... first and foremost is following the lead of local and national officials who's job it is to lead out in major disaster relief efforts.
If you don't have a team - or a plan - in place, here are a few reasons I think you should consider it:
- college students always have a desire to help those in obvious need
- college students have flexible schedules - and the ability to re-prioritize on short notice
- college students have some of the most 'able-bodies' out there
- college students can be some of the hardest workers
- serving in significant relief efforts can be incredibly formative for college students - cultivating a lifestyle of service
- if your ministry has a strong reputation for providing significant relief and outreach efforts you may become a viable resource for larger campus and/or community efforts
So what do you think?
Does your ministry have a game-plan for disaster relief?
Are you considered a viable resource to the campus you serve?
How has disaster relief efforts played a role in your ministry with students?
I'd love to hear about what this looks like in your ministry.
Please keep BU, and the greater Nashville area, in your prayers as we look to recover from this devastating flood! Grace and peace to you.
[Take this week's poll - in the sidebar: Is your ministry prepared to provide disaster relief?]
