When a disaster strikes, who will be on the scene to assist those in need? How about a team of students from Columbia International University?

The new Disaster Relief and Management program at CIU develops the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to natural disasters and crises while demonstrating Christian compassion, service and witness. It will be offered as a concentration within the International Community Development (ICD) major and as a minor beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

The program is being developed by ICD Program Director Michelle Raven who says the goal is to communicate the love of Christ.

“We get the privilege of being the hands and feet of God during times of tragedy and despair,” Raven said. “We often get to share the gospel through words, pray with and for those affected by disaster, and help them recover in tangible ways.”

Meanwhile, a CIU Rapid Response Club has already formed and is learning to assist in short-term relief efforts under the guidance of the South Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Office. In February, the team assisted in a flood rebuilding effort in Marion County, South Carolina still reeling from the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016.  

“The students served with excellence completing two major projects; a house floor project and a tear-down for a facility that will eventually house ministry teams that come to work in the area,” Raven said. “The students want to make another trip this spring and adopt the ministry team facility as the project for 2018. We are off to a great start!”

More information on the Disaster Relief Management program is available at (800) 777-2227. CIU is experiencing exciting growth in enrollment and has announced $25 million in expansion plans for the campus. CIU is accredited by SACS-COC.