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Columbia Presbyterian Church - Columbia, Mississippi

Experience incarnational ministry in Christ by partnering with MNA, Harvest Ministries and Columbia Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Columbia, MS.

Join Mission to North America, Columbia Presbyterian Church (PCA) and Harvest Ministries in showing the face of Christ in the still torn community of Columbia, MS.

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the great majority of the Mississippi Gulf Coast was left in tatters. Jefferson Davis and Marion counties (about 100 miles north of the coast) still have approximately 700 families that have unmet needs that could be addressed through the direct service of volunteers. Columbia Presbyterian Church and Pastor Caleb Cangelosi see this as an opportunity to restore homes for local families, but also as a God created opportunity to advance the Gospel and strengthen God’s Kingdom through mercy.

Project Overview

Harvest Ministries is a Camp and Retreat Center located in a picturesque community just outside of Columbia and is located central to Jefferson Davis and Marion Counties. Harvest Ministries’ mission is normally hosting summer camps for boys and girls, providing a place of respite for those in ministry, and a conference center for Christian organizations. They are now providing the use of their facility as a base of operations for relief missions. Several organizations including the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are very thankful for this developing partnership and are anxious to help folks get back on their feet. Several members of Harvest Ministries' leadership team are also members of Columbia Presbyterian Church (PCA).

As we develop this ministry to the Columbia community, we are advancing a plan which will unfold in two phases.

Phase I

Harvest is providing the use of two very nice cabins for this partnership. The cabins are approximately 80% complete and the materials to complete them are already on site. Our plan is to finish the cabins that will provide housing for future teams conducting relief operations in the surrounding community. This could be perfect training for first response teams, as the teams will need to be somewhat self-contained relative to their working environment. Team members will be working and sleeping in an undeveloped environment until these cabins are complete. Teams should consist of skilled leaders and apprentices that have the ability to finish and outfit these cabins. This could be a great opportunity for more mature teams (i.e. retired couples, second career) that will have a lasting impact in the recovery of this community. RV hookups and campsites are available, but we anticipate the first teams will stay in the unfinished cabins.

Meals

Teams will be responsible for their own meals. Bar-B-Q grills are available, and teams will need to be self-contained much like first responder teams.  There are several restaurants and groceries nearby.

Travel

Teams can drive into Columbia or fly into Hattiesburg, MS. The camp site is equipped with mobile hook ups and shower facilities. Teams will need to provide their own local transportation.

Where will we stay?

Teams will “camp out” inside the unfinished cabins which they will be working on. Cabins are separated by gender and can hold up to 16 people each. Your group can consist of no more than 16 women and 16 men, or 32 team members of one gender. Showers are available nearby.

What will it cost us?

During phase I, your only expense will be travel and food. Harvest Ministries will not charge a lodging fee during the first phase, but contributions are always welcomed for the continuing relief effort.

Note: The fees you pay are for the sole purpose of covering costs for the ministry or church with whom you are serving; MNA receives no income or financial benefit from the fees you pay.

What should we bring?

Teams should bring sleeping bags, tents (if you choose not to stay in the cabins, which will be quite rustic), any toiletries or bedding deemed appropriate, food and personal supplies. Teams should bring basic hand tools they are comfortable working with. Teams should bring tools necessary to complete the project. Tools needed are skill saws, table saws, miter saws, nail guns, drill/screwdrivers, etc.

What will we be doing?

Phase I teams will be involved in light construction at Harvest Ministries. You will be completing the two cabins that will house future relief workers. Both of the cabins are near completion, but the addition of bunk beds, kitchen facilities and other finishing touches are still needed.

Are youth teams welcomed?

Yes! High school teams are encouraged to come. Your team should include skilled workers and an adult to youth ratio of 1:4. All high school teams are encouraged to take part. If your team consists of boys AND girls, please recruit male and female chaperones.

How large can our group be?

Each cabin holds 16 people. Your group can consist of no more than 16 women and 16 men, or 32 team members of one gender.

Phase II (the same as phase I except for these differences)

Over 700 families have been identified as still having unmet needs in the Columbia, MS community. Teams involved in the second phase of this project will provide labor for the completion of repair work to these homes. A community relief committee has identified and approved ten families for new roofs. Funds have been allocated for materials and we are praying that God will send the volunteers to accomplish the work. Could God be calling your team to respond?

Meals

During phase II meals will be provided by Harvest Ministries for relief workers. A fully staffed kitchen will provide 2 meals a day. Also, several restaurants and groceries are nearby.

What will it cost us?

There is a $20/night charge per person for lodging expenses. This charge covers all meals and other maintenance costs while on site. The relief committee has already secured funds for building materials. Contributions are always accepted for the continuing relief effort.

Note: Mission to North America does not receive administrative fees or other remuneration for participation on these projects. We want you to use God’s money for ministry.

What will we be doing?

Teams will be actively involved in the restoration of the Columbia, MS community. Interaction with families and community members will provide many opportunities to demonstrate God’s love through direct service in the context of mercy. Teams may desire to participate in a combination of construction, VBS, sports camps, etc. If your team has a specific interest, please contact us.

What should we bring?

Teams should bring tools necessary to complete the projects. Some tools needed are skill saws, table saws, miter saws, nail guns, drill/screwdrivers, etc. Any tools needed to complete roofing projects are needed.

What other ways can we help?

We are in great need of a long-term site manager for both the first and second phases of this project. If you are a retired couple with construction and/or administrative skills or a single person with experience in construction and mission work, we need you. Perhaps your way of serving would be to provide a financial gift to provide a stipend for someone else to provide this leadership. We covet your prayers for our community always.

• If your gift is one of giving, we need funds to help set up this site
• Nail guns, ladders, work truck, compressors, flat shovels, flat bed trailer, enclosed equipment trailer with ladder racks.

 

INTERNS!! INTERNS!! INTERNS!! INTERNS!!

We have a great opportunity here for interns. This is an amazing opportunity to work with teams doing disaster recovery and for you to participate in the restoration.
We are looking for college-aged men and women 18+ who are extremely mature and hard-working. Your role would be facilitating teams and follow up ministry with Pastor Cangelosi.  If you are interested or know a college student who may be, please contact us.

Message from the Pastor Cangelosi

“Even though Hurricane Katrina swept through our state nearly two years ago, and even though we are more than an hour’s drive from the coast, it’s impossible to drive around Columbia and Marion County without seeing blue roofs periodically dotting the landscape. Many families still have tangible needs, and we would love to partner with teams from around the PCA in reaching out to these families with the ministry of word and deed that marked our Savior’s life (Luke 24:19). A community relief organization (Jefferson Davis and Marion County Restoration Committee – JMAR) has identified and assessed the needs of these families, and they have raised the necessary funds for the materials. All we need is the labor. We don’t have as many strong backs in our church as we once did, so your willingness to come and be our hands and feet and vertebrae would bless not only the families in need, but also our own church family. I pray particularly that the Lord would raise up laborers who could relocate to Columbia to provide leadership and administrative assistance to these projects. May the Lord use us all to build His church and transform lives with the gospel of Christ!”

Ready to get involved or need more information?

Contact Arklie Hooten ahooten@pcanet.org / 678-294-3011

or

Sherry Lanier

MNA ShortTerm Missions and Disaster Response Facilitator
678-294-3012
slanier@pcanet.org

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