North Greenville University Photo
Churches and youth groups throughout the country teamed together last month with NGU students in an effort to show the community how Christ’s love looks.
North Greenville University Photo
A NGU student is serving through REVEAL, a one day service project designed to connect students with tangible, hands-on service projects while striving to impact and serve members of the Greenville area in the name of Christ.
REVEAL works alongside other ministries in Greenville, such as Camp Marietta, Miracle Hill, and the Women’s Clinic. Some impact teams have worked at sports camps.
Churches and youth groups throughout the country teamed together on Feb. 23 with NGU students in an effort to show the community how Christ’s love looks.
Josh Shaffer, freshman from Greer, worked at God’s Pantry. The teams formed an assembly line and packaged food for the hungry. “It was really cool to see that much work being put into sending out food,” said Shaffer. “We got a lot of work done. Not many people usually work there.”
The impact teams were also involved in the Miracle Hill Thrift Stores. These thrift shops take donations, sell them and raise money to help fund their ministries. Their main ministry is to house those in need. They have four shelters for adults and two shelters for children. They are also involved in finding foster care for the children.
Katie Taylor, sophomore from Taylors, led an impact team at the Salvation Army. Her team served food and prayed with the men and women living there. They also met some supporting and faithful people.
“They helped me to be grateful and realize how blessed I am,” said Taylor. “It strengthened my faith to see how strong their faith was.”
REVEAL benefits the receivers just as much as the givers. Meaghan Fox, sophomore from Columbia, was involved in an impact team that worked for the Generous Garden Project, a non-profit that gives out food to the homeless and underprivileged. People grow fresh fruit and vegetables in their own greenhouses, then distribute it across Greenville to shelter, ministries, and pantries.
“It really helped me to see that there is hunger in the United States, and not only in third world countries,” said Fox. “It opened my eyes to the needs around me.”
Fox’s teams helped the organization plant, garden, and prepare the food.
Fox has encouraged other NGU students to participate next year. “It helps you get out of your comfort zone,” she said. “You get to interact with people and have a lot of fun while you do it. It is very rewarding.”
Taylor doesn’t want this to become a once a year thing. He believes Christians should always reach out to others and always be looking for ways to minister and serve the needs of others.