BUIES CREEK – Campbell University, the first institution of higher education in North Carolina to engage in Inasmuch Day, will celebrate its fifth annual day-long blitz of service to the community on April 14.
Operation Inasmuch originated in 1995 out of Fayetteville’s Snyder Memorial Baptist Church.Dubbed “A Compassion Revolution,” today it is a national network of over 1,600 churches in 21 states with a mission to live out Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as you serve the least of these, you serve me.”
Inasmuch Day at Campbell, one of two universities in the country participating this year, is ministry through hands-on projects that lend a hand to a neighbor in need, according to Campus Minister Rev. Faithe Beam. When Beam first brought Inasmuch Day to Campbell in 2008, she had a vision for the Campbell community reaching out in a big way.
When registration topped 300 in the first year, she knew Campbell was on to something.
“Campbell’s initial participation in Inasmuch really was providential,” Beam said. “We met the right people at the right time — Operation Inasmuch leadership was looking to involve college students in Inasmuch Day. Inasmuch provided an opportunity for students to take their heartfor God and make that love active in the community.”
Registration since then has exceeded 500 volunteers every year, including students, faculty, staff, and community members. When storms that would become the series of April 16 tornadoes threatened approximately half of last year’s projects, Campbell still had more than 400 volunteers show up ready to work.
Campus Ministry’s Terry Tucker, Ministry associate and coordinator of Serving and Sending Ministries, said the day builds relationships on campus and in the community.
“Through Inasmuch Day the faculty, staff and students come together in an effort to meet immediate needs of many in the greater Harnett County community,” Tucker said. “In addition, the day allows the Campbell community to build sustainable relationships outside campus life which creates ongoing opportunities for service and ministry.”
This year’s projects include tutoring, landscaping, light construction, kids’ activities, and environmental clean-up. To register online visit the Campus Ministry website.
For more information, contact Terry Tucker at [email protected]/* */ or call (910) 893-1547.