Liberty launches new disaster relief initiative

Continuing Liberty University’s long-standing tradition of serving in communities both locally and abroad, a new initiative will mobilize students to lend a helping hand in the face of disaster — and at a moment’s notice. In Friday’s Convocation, the university announced the formation of LU Send Now, a disaster relief arm of the new student travel office, LU Send.

Students who maintain a certain GPA and undergo disaster relief training on campus will be added to LU Send Now’s roster, from which disaster relief aid can be mobilized and dispatched within 24 hours to assist in a crisis. All expenses will be covered for students who are called to go on a trip.

“We know in this world we will have trouble and when something happens, we will mobilize you immediately,” David Nasser, Liberty’s senior vice president for spiritual development, said. “We want to run in when everybody else is running out. We want you to be there, and we believe that you as Liberty students are the greatest ambassadors for Christ.”

Whether there is a mass power outage or devastation from a tornado in an area, Nasser said he wants to see Liberty students step in and help.

“(LU Send Now) is our statement of belief in you,” Nasser said. “We want to continue to do things on a greater level at Liberty University. We have put aside the money and everything you need to be a part of LU Send Now, and you are going to be sent to places to be a salt and a light in the name of Jesus.”

Students will be selected to go on the specific relief trips based on their skill sets.

“We might send three cinematic arts students to assist with documentary needs,” Nasser said. “Ten nursing students to aid people in foreign countries with medical needs, or four engineering students to look at structures after an earthquake. We are going to send students based on the needs we are told about.”

Nasser told students that when Jesus fed 5,000 people in the Bible, He met their temporary need by feeding them, even though He knew they also needed to know the Gospel.

“Jesus met hungry people where they were and immediately served them,” he said. “Then the very next day in John 6:35 Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life.’ This is how we need to be as Christians. First we meet someone’s physical need, and then we can share the truth of the Gospel with them. This is what we want LU Send Now to accomplish.”

LU Send Now is a part of LU Send, the new centralized location for all Liberty student group travel, serving as the university’s sending arm for all local, domestic, and international trips leaving from campus.

Students interested in being part of LU Send Now are invited to attend an information meeting after Campus Community on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m.