For the past four years, Youth-Reach Gulf Coast (YRGC) has served hurting communities in the aftermath of natural disasters. We recently made two trips to Louisiana to bring hope to communities impacted by Hurricane Ida.
Our residents also contribute to our disaster relief efforts as part of our discipleship training, teaching them how to serve and love others.
By offering relief services when disaster strikes, we show our young men a unique and practical way to be “the hands and feet of Jesus.”
We do this work as part of a partnership of disaster relief teams and ministries called “The Chainsaw Army.” For any disaster zone accessible within an eight-hour drive, the Army wants to help.
Before we set out for Louisiana, even before the storm hit, we reached out to local pastors at Calvary Christian Center (CCC) in Hammond, La. It’s helpful to be able to work hand-in-hand with the community to be as effective as possible with our disaster relief efforts. Not only are we able to coordinate equipment and supplies ahead of time, but local pastors are also very acquainted with the physical and spiritual needs of the community. Pastor Brad Miller of CCC developed a list of needs for us to help us prioritize the most pressing issues.
After working in Hammond for a few days, we moved south to St. Rose, an area hit even harder by Hurricane Ida.
In conjunction with another local church, our team helped with flood-damaged home demos, tree and debris removal, installing tarps on damaged roofs, and other immediate community needs. In fact, the need there was so great, our staffer Jackson Bentley led a small team of three staff and three residents back to St. Rose on a second trip.
We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting this relief mission on our Giving Page. Your generosity helps provide us with fuel for vehicles and chainsaws, food for our team, and additional items needed to serve those impacted by Hurricane Ida. Thank you for your support!
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