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Volunteer construction team back to help NGU
University plans to open three new male housing
units this fall
Tigerville, SC - During the week of June 5th, mission groups from several
churches across the southeast came together at North Greenville University to
help in building three male housing units. These volunteers, mostly retired,
give up a week’s vacation to assist the university in accommodating the 1,900
students that will attend the Southern Baptist school this fall.
 Morgan
County Baptist Team, which started out of Central Baptist Church in Decatur,
Alabama, began construction mission trips seventeen years ago. Now in
partnership with the Morgan County Baptist Association, the team is made up of
several churches in the southeast which join together to build churches,
pastoriums, and group homes.
“We began this mission in 1989 with a group from our church,” stated George
Murphree, coordinator of the group and member of Central Baptist. “We’ve built
the team we have today with churches from across the southeast because they
joined us along the way and enjoyed themselves so much that they’ve made it an
annual tradition.” East Highland Baptist in Hartselle, AL, Oak Park Baptist from
Decatur, AL, Danville Baptist from Danville, AL and First Baptist Church Azle,
TX have joined the group this year.
This is not the group’s first time in Tigerville. They worked with a similar
project on campus last year. “We came back because we have a good rapport with
the school’s officials and we see the need here,” said Murphree.
Chief Foreman for the week is Harry Vice, a civil engineer and surveyor from
Decatur. “I see this as an opportunity to do the Lord’s work. People working
together to help others. God uses us,” said Vice. “Our goal is to have all the
framing and roofs completed on the three duplexes by the end of the week.”
Sarah Gamer, a financial manager for an orthodontist in Decatur says they
are fulfilling the Great Commission. “I’ve been on several mission trips but
this is my first construction mission work,” said Gamer as she helped make
liners for the new facilities. “I’m here to serve the Lord even though it is a
small contribution. Harry [Vice] tells us what to do and we do it.”
The three 2,000 sq. ft. units will accommodate thirty-six male residents.
The school housed 66% of its 1,844 enrollment on campus this past year. These
units and the Vandiver Residence Hall, which had fire damage in May, need to be
ready for the upcoming semester.
“It is school policy that all students live on campus through their
sophomore year unless they are living at home,” stated Student Services
Director, Billy Watson. “These news facilities will help house the increase in
students that will be enrolling this fall.”
A second group of construction volunteers will be coming to the campus in
July.
“Words can not adequately express our feelings for these wonderful people
who are here volunteering,” said NGU President, Dr. Jimmy Epting. “Our mission
is to educate and change lives for Jesus Christ. These volunteers are helping us
provide these facilities and a better environment conducive to accomplishing
this mission.”
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