Let me tell you a little bit about the ministry of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church here in Mobile, AL. Soon after hurricane Katrina hit, church members & staff went down to Pascagoula, MS and talked with people to scout out who needed the most help rebuilding (i.e. - older people, disabled people, single moms, etc.). After talking to many people (and encouraging many along the way), they chose over 50 houses to help, and told these households they would send help as funds and teams came down. We’ve heard testimonies that Christ Fellowship was a “ray of hope” to many of these people who didn’t know where to even begin.

Christ Fellowship quickly became the home base for hundreds of people coming down to help with rebuilding. The church houses the teams in rooms off of their gym. They provide cots, bedding, showers, towels, shampoo, soap, washer/dryer, and best of all, DELICIOUS suppers (more about that later). They have become the channel through which much needed help is being sent to Pascagoula, MS. Danny Chance, an elder of Christ Fellowship and lay worker, has taken on the immense task of organizing all the logistics of the teams and work going on . . . and he’s doing a great job! Whenever we mention his name down in Pascagoula, big smiles come on people’s faces!

As churches sent teams down to help, Danny Chance would put them in contact with someone on their list. The first few teams mostly focused on tearing down all the moldy drywall and flooring in all the houses. Some of the houses were “torn down” from 4 feet down and some were down to the bare studs. Pascagoulans, overwhelmed by the sheer work to be done, were so thrilled with this help.

After the “tearing down,” rebuilding started. One by one, houses started being “adopted” by churches and individuals (some still need adopting, even 5 months later). That’s how we got in touch with Della. Our church decided to adopt her, so every work team we send down and money that is designated is funneled to Della’s house. And the wonderful thing is, it’s almost done!

Jeremy and I are so thankful for this ministry of Christ Fellowship Church. They have housed literally hundreds of workers from all over the country. Their footwork has enabled so much work to be done! They have also been a blessing to both of us: the people are some of the friendliest folks we’ve ever met; the food every night is out-of-this-world delicious (better than most restaurants); and the ministry of the Word has been encouraging and refreshing.