MSBDR adds two units to strengthen disaster response
By Hubert Yates
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief Director
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief (MSBDR) announced the addition of two units to its disaster relief equipment fleet: a fully refurbished seven-stall shower unit and a newly acquired quick-response feeding unit. Each carries a legacy of service and a renewed purpose for meeting needs in times of crisis.
Restored for service: seven-stall shower unit
The refurbished shower unit began its journey in 2005, when the North American Mission Board donated it to First Baptist Church of Gulfport during recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Originally designed with two communal shower areas and a central support space, the unit served in the early days of post-storm ministry.
In 2012, First Baptist Church of Gulfport released the unit to Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon, where it continued serving MSBDR deployments and MS Nailbenders, a construction ministry that assists ministries and churches with building needs. After more than a decade of use, Brandon Baptist Church donated the unit to MSBDR in spring 2025.
Under the leadership of MSBDR shower ministry lead Lannie Shackleford of First Baptist Church of Oxford and the Lafayette-Marshall Baptist Association, the unit underwent a full rehabilitation and remodel. Updates include:
- Seven individual-access shower stalls for privacy
- Two on-demand hot-water heaters with propane tanks
- An onboard electrical generator for independent operation
- Two stacked washer/dryer units for laundry support
- A stocked supply of towels and personal hygiene items to serve survivors and MSBDR and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers
The unit is now in service and ready to support survivor care, first responders, and MSBDR and SBDR volunteers.
In addition to disaster relief efforts, MSBDR shower units support cooperating churches during larger overnight ministry activities such as lock-ins, D-Now weekends, camps and other events where additional shower capacity is needed.
Ready to serve: quick-response feeding unit
The second addition to MSBDR’s fleet is a self-contained quick-response feeding unit obtained from The Salvation Army in 2025. The mobile kitchen has supported disaster responses across the Southeast and Gulf Coast for The Salvation Army since 2007. Its acquisition strengthens MSBDR’s ability to respond quickly and compassionately in times of crisis.
Outfitted as a professional-grade food truck, the unit includes:
- A six-eye propane stove and 36-inch griddle
- A commercial oven and two commercial microwaves
- Onboard refrigerator and freezer for cold storage
- A triple sink for sanitation and prep
- Onboard freshwater and wastewater storage
- A commercial coffee maker for volunteer and survivor support
- Stainless-steel work surfaces for safe, efficient food preparation
Repurposed for MSBDR deployment, the unit enables rapid feeding operations within 12 to 24 hours of a disaster or crisis. With a crew of five to seven trained volunteers, it can begin serving hot meals to survivors and responders before larger infrastructure is in place. The unit also can supplement volunteer support feeding and bolster the capacity of the MSBDR field kitchen when needed.
“We are deeply grateful to the churches of the Mississippi Baptist Convention for their faithful support of this ministry,” said Hubert Yates, state director for MSBDR. “These new units—made possible through the generosity of Brandon Baptist Church, the cooperation of The Salvation Army, the efforts of the team from First Baptist Church of Oxford and the Lafayette-Marshall Association, and the financial gifts of Mississippi Baptists—represent more than equipment. They are expressions of love, readiness and the shared calling to bring help, hope and healing in Jesus’ name to those affected by disaster and crisis situations. Because you give, we can go!”