Steven Curtis Chapman’s Family Ministry Comes to NGU: The Red Bus Project
Christian Segers, Opinion Editor
The Red Bus pulled into North Greenville University on Monday, April 18. Photo courtesy of Christian Segers
Students signing up to receive e-mail updates from the Red Bus Project. Photo courtesy of Christian Segers
Photo courtesy of Christian Segers
Students interacting with volunteers outside the Red Bus. Photo courtesy of Christian Segers.
Inside the Red Bus. Photo courtesy of Christian Segers.
A view of the thrift store portion of the Red Bus. Photo courtesy of Christian Segers.
Emily Chapman, the daughter of contemporary Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman, grew up amidst the warmth and love of a traditional household, but the Lord placed it on her heart to give college students the opportunity to show that same love to orphans who desperately deserve to experience it.
Chapman’s brother had already become co-director of Show Hope, which is “a movement to care for orphans, restoring the hope of a family to orphans in distress around the world;” however, the organization believed it was failing to capture the attention and resources of college students. A few years after Chapman graduated from Baylor University, her idea was implemented into Show Hope and the Red Bus Project was born.
Of course, having the title “Red Bus Project” begs the question as to the red bus’ involvement in the rescuing of orphans. The answer lies within the purchase of a double decker bus Show Hope purchased and shipped from England that has since been converted into a traveling thrift store.
The thrift store has traveled to nearly 90 college campuses, accepting various donations, while also opening up their traveling thrift store to students who both want to support the work of the Red Bus Project and find great deals on name brand clothes and accessories. The sales that stem from the thrift store directly benefit “orphan care and adoption advocacy efforts,” according to the project’s website, which you can visit at redbusproject.org.
North Greenville University students were greeted Monday morning by the bus’s presence outside of the cafeteria, where students were invited to take advantage of the opportunity they have to get involved. Even if solely out of intrigue, the Project managed to pack its bus and booths with curious students.
Mindy Cook, a volunteer for the Red Bus Project, was quick to mention the good that college students can give to orphans.
“We started thinking about how college campuses are an untapped resource,” Cook said. “Students have a lot of time and a lot of passion, but tend to think that there is nothing they can do while they are here [at college]…This is our way of reaching out and saying you guys [students] have a lot to give.”
Another volunteer stressed the fact that, “You don’t have to have a bus from London, but you can use whatever your interests are and raise your voice for awareness.”
Whether or not you were able to make it to the bus on Monday, go ahead and take the time to check out the Red Bus Project’s website and at the very least, show your support for this vital ministry. Not every child is gifted with a loving family, but together we can help those same children find what Show Hope and the Red Bus Project calls, their “forever home.”
