Mississippi Mission Trip

World Renew: Mississippi Mission Trip, January 26-February 3, 2024

Team Leaders: Gary & Bev VanNoort
Sign-up Deadline: Sunday, November 26, 2023

Description
On March 24, 2023, a devastating tornado hit the town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and surrounding areas. After forming from a supercell storm over the Mississippi river, the EF4 tornado with wind gusts over 166 mph traveled 59 miles with a width of three-quarters of a mile and lasted an hour and 10 minutes. It touched down in Rolling Fork around 8:00 pm with little warning for residents and paved a path of destruction – leveling homes, ripping roofs and walls apart, toppling trees and powerlines, throwing cars through the air, and quickly and catastrophically impacting the community. More than 26 people were killed as a result of this storm, and more than 300 homes were severely damaged or destroyed in Rolling Fork. Faith Church has partnered with World Renew in this area to assist in their reconstruction efforts, our team’s assignment will be working on tornado reconstruction in and around Rolling Fork.

About World Renew
World Renew “envisions a world where people experience and extend Christ’s compassion and live together in hope as God’s community.” By joining with families around the world, World Renew has been changing the story of hunger, poverty, and illness for nearly 60 years. “Together, we change stories, and those stories change the world.”

Purpose of Trip
There are a variety of ways adults and families can serve on this trip. 

• Disaster Response – World Renew works with those who have already navigated insurance, fema, and other resources and then steps in to carry families to the next step. We look forward to assisting in however might be helpful, doing clean up, simple building projects, painting, etc. We look forward to having people of all skill levels join us on this trip.
• Relational Ministry – We will be interacting with a variety of folks who have been impacted by disaster. One of our roles will be to encourage, pray, and uplift those who have been impacted, and/or have dedicated many hours towards the rebuilding of the Pamlico County area.
• Anything else – World Renew is a large organization with significant influence in a variety of under-resourced areas. Our number one priority is to come alongside and help this organization reach their goals. There may be additional projects along the way and we will be ready and willing to serve wherever there may be need. 

Expenses
The total cost of the trip is approximately $500/person which includes travel to Mississippi, food, lodging, and site fees. At our first team meeting we plan to discuss ways our team can raise funds to defer this cost.

Dates
Friday, January 26 (begin driving mid/late afternoon) – Saturday, February 3 

Requirements
Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old.

There will be 2 mandatory meetings in preparation for this trip:

• Meeting 1: Sunday,December 3
• Meeting 2: Sunday, January 7

World Renew is a faith based organization. We ask that everyone who attends would be respectful of the beliefs and values of Faith Church and World Renew. Participation in daily devotional and Bible studies is required of each person.

Volunteering in a disaster area with a team requires flexibility. We will beliving, working, and eating together as a team for 7 days. Remember, we are going to serve and not be served.

Next Steps

1. Complete the mission trip application at wearefaith.org/trips which must be completed by November 26.
2. The trip leader will contact you following receiving your application to confirm your placement on the team. 

Thank you for your interest. This promises to be an incredibly rewarding time! If you have further questions or concerns, please email Team Leaders Gary and Bev VanNoort or call (708) 932-1945 or email the mission team.

Apply