Williamsburg—Every year, hundreds of new faces grace the campus of the University of the Cumberlands on freshmen move-in day. Parents and students pull into dorm parking lots dreading the many trips that have to be made to move into residence halls. Much to their relief, an army of volunteers are on hand, offering to help with the big move.

“The help we received from the local church was a God send,” Johnetta Traylor of Los Angeles, Calif., said about the volunteers who helped move her daughter, Jazmine Traylor, into her third-floor dorm room in Gillespie Hall.

Multiple churches, including First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Immanuel Baptist Church in Corbin and West Corbin Baptist Church, traveled to the University of Cumberlands to spend a Saturday helping new students and their families unload vehicles.

West Corbin Baptist brought 20 volunteers, as well as water and snacks for everyone moving. This was the first year of participation for West Corbin, whose pastor, Billy Howell, has a daughter who is a UC freshman.

“We want people to know we are out here, that we love the Lord, that we serve Him by serving others, and we’re hoping to help the girls find a home church similar to their church back home,” Howell said. “It’s important to have a church where they feel at home.”

Brent Foley, worship leader at Immanuel Baptist, led a team of 12 volunteers who helped freshmen and upperclassmen men move into Robinson-Cook Hall.

“We moved in all kinds of folks who were looking for community or in need in some way,” Foley said. “God certainly brought us to the right people; with God there’s no coincidence, only His providence.” (UC)