 Montreat College’s annual S.A.L.T. Week (Servanthood and Leadership Training) was held September 9 through 14, beginning on the Montreat campus, then to Black Mountain, and then moving to a weekend of service in Asheville. All Montreat students participate in S.A.L.T. activities.
Keynote speaker for S.A.L.T. 2003 was Mr. Mark Cerbone. Cerbone and his wife Diann helped form Peace in the City Ministries in Buffalo, New York’s west side. This ministry provides for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the poor and “working poor” in the name of Jesus. The program includes several “clubs” beginning with first graders and going through high school designed to help kids with homework, provide a safe after-school environment, provide recreational activities designed to build relationships, and provide Bible studies and a place to learn respect for self and others.
Cerbone was born and raised in New York City and graduated from Houghton College. Cerbone began a ten-year involvement with the “Creation” annual outdoor Christian festival, rapidly moving from volunteer work to staff coordinator and planning committee member. During this time, Cerbone spent time planting churches as well as working part-time at Houghton College, Eastern College, and Evangelicals for Social Action. Cerbone and his wife are deepening ties with their multicultural urban neighborhood.
He has spoken at over 30 member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and is a Staley Distinguished Lecturer. Mark Cerbone has become a highly demanded speaker across the country at colleges and universities.
S.A.L.T week included formal and informal talks by Cerbone; ministry outreach at Black Mountain’s Presbyterian Home for Children where our students put on a “game night” for the children; and service projects in Asheville at Boys/Girls Club, Manna Food Bank, Pregnancy Center, ABCCM Women's/Men's Shelters, Western Carolina Rescue Mission, and Habitat for Humanity.
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