By Hubert Yates
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief Director
After a powerful winter storm brought significant disruption across Mississippi at the end of January, thousands were left without power causing widespread tree damage, blocked roadways, and hazardous conditions. In the following days, Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief (MSBDR) has launched a coordinated, multisite response to meet urgent needs and support affected communities.
The storm’s impact stretched from Natchez to Corinth, with some counties experiencing extensive ice accumulation and prolonged power outages. As requests for assistance grew, MSBDR activated chainsaw teams, chaplains, assessors, feeding support, and partnered with churches to serve in the hardest hit areas. MSBDR Volunteer Feeding resources were on standby for multiple locations but with the arrival of a number of smaller feeding organizations, their services were not requested.
Multiple Operational Sites Established
MSBDR has opened response sites in Grenada, Ecru, Water Valley/Oxford, and Greenville, with an additional site preparing to open in Corinth. Each location is supported by local congregations providing housing, assisting with meals, and joining in ministry partnership.
At Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, volunteers are serving several surrounding counties, completing assessments and completing chainsaw operations despite challenging weather conditions over the weekend. Emmanuel Baptist Church volunteers have been providing meals to a local warming shelter and stood up to provide meals for responding MSBDR volunteers as the deployment ramped up. MSBDR volunteer feeding support teams are arriving later this week to continue the anticipated three week deployment.
In Ecru, Friendship Baptist Church is hosting teams serving Pontotoc, Union, Calhoun, and southern Tippah Counties. Volunteers have been active over the weekend assisting homeowners with cleanup needs and sharing the love of Jesus. Additional teams are scheduled to rotate in as assessments continue.
At Anchor Baptist Church in Water Valley, a generator installation, facilitated with assistance from Taylor Power Systems, has allowed that site to open and begin receiving MSBDR volunteer teams even though the church remained without power. This location will serve Yalobusha, Lafayette, eastern Panola, and southern Marshall Counties.
Given the scale of need in the state, MSBDR invited Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief to operate a site at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Greenville. With well over 300 work requests already received, Alabama volunteers began operations Monday, supported by strong local leadership from pastors and Associational Missions Staff from Mid-Delta Baptist Association. An encounter on Monday between an ALBDR Assessor and a storm survivor saw the individual come to faith in Christ!
A fifth site in Corinth, hosted by Tate Baptist Church, is being prepared for activation by Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief to serve Alcorn County and surrounding areas. This site should go operational on Monday.
A Cooperative Effort Rooted in Ministry
Across all the sites, chaplains and assessors are meeting with homeowners, praying with families, and helping identify the most urgent needs. Local churches have opened their doors to serve as warming centers, conduct feeding ministries, and are meeting other community needs.
Despite freezing temperatures and difficult travel conditions, volunteers continue to serve with compassion and perseverance. MSBDR leadership remains in close coordination with Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), local emergency managers, and partnering state conventions to ensure resources are deployed where they are needed.
Continuing the Mission
As Mississippi continues recovering from the winter storm, MSBDR remains committed to bringing practical help and the hope of Christ to every community affected. Volunteers, churches, and partnering ministries are working together to meet needs, encourage families, and demonstrate the love of Jesus in tangible ways.
In Oxford, First Baptist Church has organized SERVE OXFORD SATURDAY that will take place on Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. The event will mobilize not only First Baptist Church members, but others across the area who are interested in assisting the recovery efforts by performing light yard work and meeting other needs.
Mississippi Baptists are encouraged to pray for volunteers, local leaders, and storm survivors still facing hardship in the aftermath of the storm.
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