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NC church becomes hub for disaster relief, community resilience

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Monday, November 25, 2024   

Churches are often seen as cornerstones of their communities in North Carolina and elsewhere, but Swansboro United Methodist Church in Onslow County has elevated that role to a critical lifeline for disaster response and recovery.

Combining faith, preparation and strategic partnerships, the church has become a hub of support for both its local community and regions far beyond.

Since launching its mission during the devastation of Hurricane Florence in 2018, leaders say their efforts demonstrate how faith-based leadership can help mobilize resources and rebuild lives.

Layne Harpine, D.M. - Swansboro's director of community life - said the church continues to rise to meet these challenges.

"It could be the immediate response of people that are certified to get out there and do assessments in homes, in communities," said Harpine, "whether it's putting tarps on roofs, whether it's providing shelters, food, and support, clothing."

Swansboro UMC's Disaster Recovery Center operated for 18 months after Hurricane Florence, staffed by a team managing everything from construction to casework. Harpine said these efforts not only provided immediate relief, but also laid the groundwork for longer-term recovery in the region.

Harpine said the church has also become a hub for disaster training, partnering with United Methodist organizations and local agencies to equip volunteers.

He said this ensures teams are ready to respond when disasters strike.

"The Emergency Response Training Certification gives you a badge that you can go out and be the first people out and about doing these assessments, doing responses and then getting people to plug in," said Harpine. "We just didn't do it for ourselves. Through partnerships, Swansboro United Methodist Church should be the hub for that type of initiative, that type of training."

Lead Pastor Laura Thompson said disaster relief is all about teamwork, requiring collaboration and resilience, and the belief that no one should have to face the challenges of disaster recovery alone.

The church recently stepped in to help western North Carolina, sending essential items to support those recovering from devastating storms there.

"It's something that takes all of us, and you know, the proverb stands - if you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together," said Thompson. "So, we're learning that this is not something that we can do alone, and it is not something that is efficient and speedy work."

Their efforts reflect a recent Duke Endowment report, highlighting how rural Methodist churches play a critical community role by mobilizing resources, delivering essential services and acting as trusted pillars of support in times of need.




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