Liberty Students Bring Hope to Western North Carolina on Hurricane Rebuild Trip

When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, many residents in the Asheville area endured tremendous loss. Those whose homes weren’t destroyed still faced major repairs. Just a few weeks ago, a group of Liberty University students from Lynchburg gave up their fall break to help rebuild homes—and returned with stories of faith, service, and gratitude.

On October 5, nine Liberty students, led by James Black, Chad Nelson, and Emma Payne, set out for Asheville as part of a trip organized by LU Serve Now, Liberty’s faith-based disaster response ministry. The team partnered with Samaritan’s Purse, a relief-based nonprofit organization that provides Gospel-centered disaster relief and outreach through home rebuilding projects.

After a four-hour drive, the group arrived at the Billy Graham Training Center, where Samaritan’s Purse staff provided orientation, safety training, and lodging for a week of service called the “Buncombe County Rebuild.” The week’s goal was simple: rebuild homes for families in need, restore hope, and share encouragement with residents who had lost so much.

Each morning began with breakfast and devotionals featuring prayer and worship before the teams split into smaller groups led by site supervisors known as “foremen.” The students then set to work at their sites—painting, installing flooring, repairing ceilings, rebuilding walls, digging, and helping wherever needed. Workdays typically ran from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by shared meals and reflection on the day’s highlights.

“It’s humbling,” said team leader Emma Payne, reflecting on the hospitality of the Asheville community. “They’ve lost everything, but they’re still welcoming and kind.”

For Liberty junior Ethan Hunt, who has served on earlier LU Seve Now trips, the experience was deeply spiritual. “We serve to be the hands and feet of Christ,” Hunt said. “When you meet these folks, it’s a powerful experience that gives you the hunger to do more.”

Throughout the week, the team’s efforts brought tangible progress for several local families—offering homes with new floors, freshly painted walls and ceilings, and restored structures—but also a reminder that residents were not forgotten.

By Friday morning, as the team departed for Lynchburg, both students and leaders said they felt inspired by their time building homes for a resilient community, growing more deeply in their faith, and building incredible relationships with one another.

Aubrey Longnecker, one of the students on the trip, reflected, “You go in not really knowing anyone, and then you come out as really sweet friends. I’m still close with one of the girls I went on a previous trip with, and we ended up helping each other get through freshman year.”

Their trip also reflected Lynchburg’s broader spirit of compassion. “These students represent more than Liberty University,” said Ethan Davis. “We aim to be of aid, whenever and in any way we can.”

As the Asheville rebuild continues, the students plan to stay involved through prayer and future service opportunities. For many, the week’s experience reaffirmed a calling to serve not just across the country, but right here at home.

photos provided