Mission Articles

>> Mission Katrina Relief ( May 2006)

Throughout March and April, we have had 86 people, making three teams who have ministered to two churches just outside of Mobile, Alabama for Katrina Relief. A singles team coupled with folks skilled in carpentry and tile work drove to Bayou La Batre to help the First Baptist Church. The pastor, Derrall Marshall, actually came on staff after the storm. He wears the hat of pastor, but also of general contractor! Our team was able to meet needs within the building to help them move forward in ministry with individuals of all ages. Two weeks later, we sent a second team (from Co-Ed 25) back to this beloved church to help get the sanctuary ready for Easter Sunday. Five miles down the road is Grand Bay, where 50 people (teenagers and their parents) engaged in the effort to rebuild homes in cooperation with FBC Grand Bay. What a dynamic two months! God has done amazing things through these teams…but the work continues.

More teams must return. Not just to aid the physical needs, but to bring the hope of Christ to the communities where churches have been wiped out. We praise the Lord for what He has done! Thanks to those who gave to the Katrina Relief fund, we were able to send teams, provide supplies and give much needed support to pastors. Please continue to pray for pastors and churches along the Gulf Coast – their needs are overwhelming and the task is daunting.

Team participants: James Beard, John Clark, Kerry Coffey, Clyde Duncan, Larry Duncan, Mark Fairbanks, James Harkness, Cathy Harris, Mary Ellen Lanford, Scott Marks, Gary McIntyre, Meredith Neal, Scott Parkison, Karen Salerno, Veronica Sapek, Ben Searcy, Mary Searcy, Jim Stovall and Paul Tripplett. Co-Ed 25 team: Don and Marilyn Hollaway, Bob and Mary Terrell, James and Catherine Campbell, Ben and Shelby Phillips, Bob and Pat Campbell, Bob Hammond, Barbara Krause and Janet Johnson. Youth Families: see student ministry page for full coverage of the Family Missions Trip.

 

A team of five individuals, Billy Cash, Bill Williams, John Clark, Larry Parker and James Harkness, traveled to Mobile, Alabama, to repair damages from hurricane Katrina. They stayed an entire week, working in the small town of Chickasaw at the home of an eighty year old widow whose house had been flooded during the storm. They had a wonderful time, tearing out damaged sheet rock, hanging new sheet rock, applying mud, sanding and applying two coats of primer. They left only the kitchen, dining room, and garage to be primed and painted.

The best part of the trip was seeing the improving attitude of this dear lady as she saw her home coming back together. That memory is worth all the time and effort expended.

They were eating dinner one evening when a gentleman walked up and asked if they were the ones driving that church van and if they were there helping with hurricane repairs. When they said yes, he said, "God bless you," laid $20 on the table and said, "That’s to help with your dinner." Just one example of the way people received them. An awful lot of work is yet to be done in this region. Prayerfully consider whether God calls you to this effort. It would be a blessing that you would not soon forget.Want to Go?

We have opportunities for groups to go on the weekends (Friday-Monday) in December to impact communities in partnership with Cypress Shores Baptist Church in Mobile, AL and Ingalls Avenue Baptist Church in Pascagoula, MS. The work consists of sheet rock, clean up, and door to door evangelism and prayer. Please consider how God could use you in practical ways to touch the lives of so many rebuilding their lives on the Gulf Coast!

 

 

Our week in Alabama led us to several wonderful people. Our team assignment was to roof the office of Dawes FBC. The office was originally the old parsonage and had sustained much damage during the hurricane. We repaired interior leaks then put on the new roof. My team, which included Matt Smith and Bill Kennedy, had the pleasure of not only working together, but of meeting Vincent Lyons. When we met Vincent, we knew God was looking out for us.  While I have had some experience roofing, I am no expert, but Vincent is. He helped to make sure I was doing everything correctly and even at the age of 80 was out-working the three of us. Meeting Vincent’s wife, Elizabeth, was even better. She fed us wonderful home cooked meals everyday for lunch. We ate so well for lunch that it was hard to get back on the roof. We were able to complete our task because of the hard work of my two teammates and Vincent. There are still many days of work to be done, so please pray about considering to team up with us and return to the Gulf Coast.

Our weekend in Alabama was one of reward and thankfulness. The Pastor of Cypress Shores Baptist Church, Brother Randy Johnson, shared with our team his heart for the community and the neighborhood immediately surrounding the church God has placed in his hands. God called Randy from the construction industry to the pulpit and is now using that knowledge to take care of many families. His church is giving food, shelter, and labor to help in the restoration process. TFBC is helping Brother Randy in this effort. Imagine having a truck come by your house and pick up everything you own from the side of the road, all of your possessions. Gone. The people are clinging to hope, love and support that is given by people who are taking the time to go there and be Jesus with skin. Please consider joining one of our teams to help make a lasting difference in the lives of the people of Mobile and its surrounding area.

 Contact Nancy in our Missions Office for more information 678-8827 or nancyc@taylorsfbc.org