Spotlight Fall 2026
Letter from our Director My Grandma Johanna always said, “The Lord will provide.” She grew up during the Great Depression and carried a deep faith that encouraged my wife and me in the early years of our marriage and growing family. I am clinging to those words more than ever. Many operational challenges stretch the faith of our Disaster Response Services (DRS) staff and volunteers. Yet our testimony remains the same: “The Lord will provide.” At our repair site in Manatee County, Florida, we see God’s provision through the volunteers, resources, and housing that make recovery possible. Roosevelt and Forestine experienced that provision firsthand after Hurricane Helene. Their story reminds us God continues to bring hope and healing through your faithful support. Read their story in this Fall Spotlight.
Chris Gibson Director Disaster Response Services
The natural disasters of fall 2024 devastated homeowners in Southwest Florida. Roosevelt and Forestine, elderly retired pastors, were among the homeowners affected. When Hurricane Helene hit, four feet of floodwater came into their home. The couple lived in Southwest Florida for their entire lives but never experienced hurricanes of this severity. Their home remained unrepaired for more than a year. The couple connected with various contractors, but cost estimates were too expensive for their means. They forged ahead trying to trust in God despite making little progress in their recovery. Around this time, World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) was repairing homes in Roosevelt and Forestine’s community with Hope Pathways, Manatee County’s leading disaster recovery agency. To Roosevelt’s surprise, he saw the “green
shirts” repairing a home nearby one day. He learned DRS volunteers were repairing disaster-impacted homes at no cost to the homeowner. Although they remained uncertain, Roosevelt and Forestine contacted DRS about their repair needs. But when DRS and Hope Pathways assessed the damage, they determined volunteers would restore the couple’s home. Over seven weeks, volunteers replaced flooring, installed HVAC and plumbing systems, hung drywall and interior doors, and caulked and painted the walls. As Roosevelt and Forestine watched their home progress, their joy grew. Roosevelt and Forestine’s home restoration was a
monumental milestone for many. DRS, Hope Pathways, and the family held a Last Nail Celebration, a celebration to praise God for the restoration of Roosevelt and Forestine’s home. DRS volunteers also presented a handcrafted nightstand to Roosevelt and Forestine at the event. The thoughtful gift and the organizations’ recovery support moved the couple to tears. “I have the key to my restored home, and I still can’t believe all that has taken place,” Forestine shared in disbelief. The couple’s daughter Toni exclaimed, “Hope arrived right on time.” We praise God for his provision in Roosevelt and Forestine’s story. Thank you for supporting World Renew DRS repairing homes and restoring hope across North America.
2026 WORLD RENEW DRS WORK SITES
LONG TERM SITES Manatee County, Florida (Hurricanes Helene and Milton: 2024) South Sarasota County, Florida (Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debby: 2024)
GROUP SITES Altadena, California (Wildfires: 2025) Madison County, North Carolina (Hurricane Helene: 2024) Mitchell County, North Carolina (Hurricane Helene: 2024)
World Renew Around the World During this rainy season in eastern Zambia, many communities faced uncertainty and hardship. Over several days, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding, washing away bridges, destroying homes, and disrupting livelihoods. Reports indicate more than 370 homes collapsed due to the force of floodwater. World Renew International Disaster Response (IDR) and our local partner, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), are responding with emergency assistance to help communities recover. Together, we are providing immediate cash assistance to 300 households. This support helps families choose their own food necessities, hygiene products, and survival goods, giving families the dignity and flexibility to purchase the items they need most as they recover.
PARTNERING WITH DISASTER REBUILD MISSIONARIES DRS responds to disasters by mobilizing volunteers to repair homes, assess needs, or clean up storm debris. When possible, we also build the capacity of various response efforts. Tim and Marcy Sheaffer, a couple who founded “The Call to Build”, consider themselves disaster rebuild missionaries. They have completed many home rebuilds and repair projects, including projects at a DRS short-term site in Vermont. After Hurricane Helene, Tim and Marcy wanted to support rebuilding efforts. The couple reached out to their networks for financial support, and DRS supported their efforts with a $15,000 capacity-building grant. Now, The Call to Build can provide construction assistance and volunteer management alongside one of DRS’ local partners, Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities (MARC). “We are still sending volunteer repair teams to Western North Carolina two years after the storm, thanks to this grant,” Chris Gibson shared. “We are thrilled to support Tim and Marcy’s mission to reach the hurting after disasters and ensure no survivor is left behind.”
CULTURAL COMPETENCY Recently, floods impacted multiple communities in northwest New Mexico, including Zuni Pueblo. In Zuni, the sovereign reservation home to the A:shiwi (Zuni) people, World Renew DRS and Zuni Christian Reformed Church held a mold remediation training to help survivors learn about the risks of mold, how to effectively treat it, and how to prepare for rebuilding. After the training, volunteers Bob Vanden Burg and Ron Grassmid attended a parade that was part of the region’s 104th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremony. The ceremonial event celebrates indigenous traditions and history through art shows, dance performances, rodeos, parades, and more. For Bob, visiting the area was especially meaningful. Growing up in the Christian Reformed Church, he learned about the denomination’s service in the community through Zuni Christian Mission. Reflecting on the parade, Bob shared, “The passion on display, the colorful cultural attire, and the crowd’s chants encouraging dance and song were wonderful parts of this experience.”