By Hubert Yates
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief Director
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief (MSBDR) volunteers — alongside partner teams from Alabama and Georgia — continue serving communities impacted by last weekend’s severe winter storm. With downed trees, blocked driveways, damaged roofs, and widespread debris across multiple counties, teams are working long days to bring help, hope, healing, and the love of Christ to affected families.
As of the latest report, MSBDR and partnerstate volunteers have received 1,245 work requests, completed 461 assessments, and completed/closed 305 jobs. Volunteers have already contributed 957 volunteer days and 7,692 hours of service, with four professions of faith recorded through ministry interactions.
Grenada Site – Emmanuel Baptist Church
The Grenada-based response continues to be one of the most active.
- 274 work requests on hand
- 139 assessments completed
- 65 jobs completed
Teams are assisting residents across Grenada, Carroll, Montgomery, Tallahatchie, northern Leflore, and western Yalobusha counties. Chainsaw teams equipped with skid steers and tractors are operating daily. A satellite from this site is operating in Holmes County meeting ministry needs there. The site continues to accept new requests for assistance.
Ecru Site – Friendship Baptist Church
The Ecru site remains steady and productive.
- 180 work requests on hand
- 133 assessments completed
- 96 jobs completed
Teams are working across Pontotoc, Union, Calhoun, and southern Tippah counties, supported by chainsaw teams and heavy equipment. The site continues to accept new requests.
Water Valley–Oxford Site – Anchor Baptist Church
This site is addressing significant tree damage across a wide region.
- 111 work requests on hand
- 41 assessments completed
- 21 jobs completed
Chainsaw teams and the MSBDR 62-foot elevated lift are actively clearing hazardous hangers and widowmakers. The site is serving Yalobusha, Lafayette, eastern Panola, and southern Marshall counties and continues to accept new work requests.
Greenville Site – Emmanuel Baptist Church (Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief)
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are providing major support in the Delta.
- 547 work requests on hand
- 205 assessments completed
- 116 jobs completed
Teams are assisting residents in Washington, Bolivar, Sunflower, Leflore, Humphreys, and Sharkey counties. The site continues to accept new requests.
Corinth Site – Tate Baptist Church (Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief)
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are serving in the northeast region.
- 133 work requests on hand
- 32 assessments completed
- 7 jobs completed
The site serves Tishomingo, Alcorn, Tippah, and Benton Counties and continues to accept new work requests.
Satellite Site – West Ripley Baptist Church
A satellite assistance request location connected to the Corinth Site has been established in Tippah County, and a satellite operations support site at West Ripley Baptist Church is being prepared to reduce volunteer travel time. The site continues to accept new work requests.
A Ministry of Presence and Compassion
Across all sites, MSBDR teams are prioritizing assistance for those unable to clear debris themselves—the elderly, disabled, homebound, single parents, hospice patients, and others facing significant challenges. Volunteers are also supporting first responders, healthcare workers, and those who are actively serving the public during this event.
The partnership of Alabama and Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has been invaluable, expanding capacity and enabling a broader reach into hard-hit communities. Local churches have also stepped forward with volunteers, meals, prayer support, and hospitality for teams working long hours in cold conditions.
Local Ministry
Numerous Mississippi Baptist Convention Board cooperating churches have taken on the role of disaster response during this event. Churches across the affected area stepped forward in the days after the event to provide a warm place to rest and recover, a hot meal or sandwich, a place to charge electronics, or a place to find a listening ear. Now as recovery takes hold, local churches are coordinating “work days” to assist those in their community with cleanup and debris removal. These activities provide a wonderful opportunity for churches to connect with those in need in their community.
Continuing the Mission
MSBDR will continue accepting work requests at all active sites and anticipates that operations will continue through most of February. Available MSBDR volunteers should notify the MSBDR Office of their availability. MSBDR volunteers ask Mississippi Baptists to continue to pray for affected families, for safety in ongoing recovery operations, and for continued opportunities to share the hope of Christ through compassionate service.
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