When Emily Clementz arrived in Asheville, the devastation from Hurricane Helene, dubbed “the Katrina of the mountains,” required one of the largest Samaritan’s Purse responses to date.
A ‘23 graduate, Clementz works with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization, though her educational background is in physiology and teaching.
Now, an intern with the U.S. Disaster Relief team, Emily has taken on various roles, from on-site coordination to managing equipment and supplies.
Her most recent work brought her to Texas and North Carolina in response to Hurricanes Beryl and Helene, respectively. In Texas, her duties primarily involved physical labor: removing fallen trees, tarping roofs and helping clear storm damage.
“Hurricane Helene has had a heartbreaking death toll,” Clementz said. “In Texas, it was mostly physical work. But in Asheville, I’m leading teams, coordinating volunteers and serving as a point of contact. It’s one of the biggest operations I’ve seen.”
The impact of her work is not just in the physical aid provided, but also in the spiritual support shared with those they serve. “We see the gratitude and relief in homeowners’ eyes, and sometimes even the beginning of a renewed faith,” Clementz said.
After long days in the field, the team returns to the base to restock supplies and prepare for the following day. But Emily’s work often doesn’t end there. “I make calls to homeowners, scheduling the next day’s work. It’s rewarding but exhausting,” she admitted.
One memorable day in Texas underscored Clementz’ belief in the power of faith amidst destruction. “I was helping a heavy equipment operator clear debris from a homeowner’s yard. While poking around a pile, I found a cross pendant buried under canvas. It was pristine, despite being exposed to the elements for weeks,” she recounted.
When she showed it to the homeowner, the woman was overcome with emotion. The cross had sat by her bed, which was destroyed in the storm. “She told me, ‘This is God reminding me that He is with me, but I know He never left.’”
This encounter illustrated for Emily the kind of divine presence she believes permeates her work. “It’s amazing to serve a God of the little details,” she said. “He cares about every small blessing, even those hidden in the rubble.”
Clementz credits much of her preparedness to her time at Taylor University, particularly the connections she built and her role as an interim hall director. “Learning to connect with people at Taylor and finding common ground prepared me for disaster-relief work,” she said.
Her hall director experience also taught her the importance of humility. “You can’t always be prepared for everything; sometimes you have to make decisions on the fly and rely on your team,” she said.
She sees Samaritan’s Purse as a continuation of this tight-knit, supportive environment. “When I don’t have the answers, I know someone on the team does,” she said. “The people here are like family, and that’s essential in a field as emotionally demanding as disaster relief.”
One of the toughest parts of Emily’s work is the transient nature of disaster relief. Volunteers and staff cycle in and out frequently, forming quick bonds that are just as quickly dissolved. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but the work brings us together. We’re all on a journey with Jesus, and our paths cross again and again,” she said.
In Asheville, her days sometimes stretched from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Despite the grueling schedule, Clementz remains grounded by a daily reliance on prayer. “Each morning, I say out loud, ‘God, I need You today. I’m tired, and I need Your strength.’ It’s not eloquent, but it’s sincere,” she said.
Clementz’ experience at Samaritan's Purse goes beyond professional development. It is about being part of a mission she sees as deeply spiritual and community-oriented. “I’m blessed to be part of Samaritan’s Purse, not just for the work we do, but for the people who make it possible. This team feels like a family,” she said.
Her path to Samaritan’s Purse was not immediate or straightforward. After earning a degree in human physiology and preventive medicine from Taylor University, she completed Taylor’s Transition to Teaching program, equipping her for a career in secondary education. Yet, she felt an underlying uncertainty about her next steps.
“I didn’t feel called toward medical school, nor drawn to teaching roles,” Clementz said. “But I knew I wanted to help people. I just wasn’t sure how or where.”
Over time, as she discussed her vision with friends, her desire to serve became clearer. “If I could paint a picture of what I wanted, it would be to find a community, assess the needs and create connections between resources and people,” she said. A friend suggested Samaritan’s Purse as an organization that could allow her to live out this mission.
After learning about its internship program, Clementz quickly applied, submitting her application just hours before the deadline. Three months later, she was offered a summer internship with World Medical Mission, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
As she looks ahead, Clementz remains open to God’s direction, confident that wherever He leads, she’ll be ready to serve with heart and hands. “I don’t know exactly where I’ll be, but I do know one thing,” she said. “I’ll be helping people, wherever God needs me,” she said.
