Messiah College Sponsored Service Trips

Messiah has been able to form a connection with a church located in Thibodaux , LA located about 60 miles west of New Orleans and 60 miles east of where Hurricane Rita hit.

The First Presbyterian Church of Thibodax has been providing local disaster relief aid for the last three years. Liz Benoit, employed by the church, coordinates with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and TRAC, a local rebuilding ministry. First Presbyterian Church has partnered with numerous other churches of various denominations to unite their efforts in helping local evacuees and communities. They have been donated a warehouse to which clothing, hygiene kits, and other goods have been pouring in. The local volunteers are overworking themselves and would greatly enjoy some rest that outside teams could offer.

During Spring Break, 2005 Messiah sent a student team to serve along side of this church, and we look forward to our continued partnership to help in any way we can.

Trip Plans

Reconnaissance Team
A team of specially selected people from across campus is currently being organized to serve during the week of October 16-23.  This team will consist of 3 students, 2 faculty and 2 staff.  This mission of this team will be to go and address immediate needs of the church and their service sites.  They will be going into New Orleans, visiting and assisting in relief shelters and working in the distribution center.  One of their goals is to return with personal stories and connections that we may begin putting faces and stories to our service and fund raising efforts.  They will also be gathering information on how best we may serve in the future.  Click here to learn more about the team and their mission.

J-Term Option
We are considering the possibility of sending a small team of students for the extent of J-Term. They would need to recognize this would not be for course credit. They would simply use their J-Term to serve through this church. They may also have individual responsibility of raising the funds for travel and expenses.

Spring Employee Team
There will be a two week trip organized in conjunction with the HR office and the Hurricane Relief committee taking place some time during the Spring semester. Details will follow in the coming months.

Spring Break Student Teams
Service Trips is hoping to organize three opportunities to serve relating to the recent disasters:

• One option will be a 10 student team to the same church through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
• A second option will be a 10 student team through Mennonite Disaster Service to the Katrina affected areas.
• A third option will be a 10 student team to return the affected areas in Florida after last year’s four hurricanes through Mennonite Disaster Service.

Details will follow late this semester or early Spring Semester.

Summer Employee Team
This will be a two week trip organized in conjunction with the HR office and the Hurricane Relief committee taking place some time during the Summer. Details will follow in the Spring Semester.

Details for the future spring and summer trips have yet to be organized. We will keep the community informed as details fall in place. If there are any students interested in serving during J-Term, please contact the Agape Center at agapecenter@messiah.edu, or #7255. Specifically mention your interest in serving during J-Term.