On the afternoon of May 16, 2025, a powerful tornado with winds reaching 150 miles per hour swept across urban areas of Greater St. Louis, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. In just moments, countless lives were forever changed. This is a beautiful story of God’s hand at work through His people, as churches united and mobilized in the power and love of Jesus Christ.

MNA Disaster Response is working with congregations within St Louis Presbytery and specifically with New City Fellowship PCA; Grace and Peace Fellowship PCA; and Restore St Louis, RST.

Please watch this encouraging video to see how your partnership is bringing appropriate hope to communities upended by disasters.

A few of our MNA Disaster Response staff are working together to help the region recover.

How can you help? MNA Disaster Response did not setup a designated fund for this response; however, we have incurred major expenses and will continue to do so for many months. Here are five ways you can provide immediate help: 

• Send a gift to Restore St. Louis. https://tinyurl.com/45wm68c8 
• Send a gift to Andy’s support account. https://tinyurl.com/bdhxjtz5 
• Send a gift to Steve’s support account. https://tinyurl.com/3c2488v8 
• Send a gift to Marty’s support account. https://tinyurl.com/s8fvj8dz 
• Send a gift to MNA Disaster Response. https://tinyurl.com/326dr4k2 

Most of all pray for the ongoing work. And pray for Andy who is transitioning from a bivocational role with MNA to a full time position. Andy is working overtime to raise the necessary support to keep him in this expanded role. If you live in the Midwest would you prayerfully consider sending a one-time transition gift and also add Andy as one of your missionaries, and ask your church to add a line item in the budget for Andy? Reach out to Andy to learn all the specifics and how you can join his personal support team @ aeisenbraun@pcanet.org.

In April one of our Sheds of HOPE transport trailers, FBT-03, was taken. The mission-critical trailer was taken from a church parking lot where it was double locked and had a GPS tracker installed. Besides supporting first responders during every response since the Baton Rouge floods of 2018, the trailer recently saw extended service in the rugged mountains of Western North Carolina and Northeast Tennessee during our historic Hurricane Helene response. The tracker reported the day before the trailer went missing, and then never again. The theft was reported and logged into the national  crime database. 

I admit, I have really been struggling with the theft. God makes it plain, “You shall not steal”. It is always wrong. However, God does provide guidance for those who have been wronged in what their posture should be. Proverbs 6:30 says that we should not despise a thief that is desperately hungry, cant afford food, and steals to feed his family. We know the stories of Robin Hood and Jean Valjean. We typically don’t despise those type of guys or their particular brand of thievery! And what about Augustine? In his Confessions he tells the story of he and his friends stealing a bunch of pears from a neighbor’s tree. He admitted, emphatically, that they weren’t hungry or even wanted the pears, “My desire was to enjoy not what I sought by stealing but merely the excitement of thieving and the doing of what was wrong.” Some people just steal for the sinfulness of it. Admittedly, I don’t know why someone stole the trailer, maybe they really were in a tight spot and needed such a trailer to meet an obligation. 

Although you provided the funds that purchased this trailer, the money was actually God’s money entrusted to you. You entrusted it to me and MNA Disaster Response for the purpose of blessing others. And we did; staff and volunteers using that trailer blessed hundreds, and hundreds more. We did a really good job taking care of that trailer, keeping it in tip-top shape, and protecting it from theft, but obviously not good enough. I am sorry that it was stolen, I’m sorry for the loss to our collective ministry.

The theft reminds me that our work can easily be disrupted, Kingdom work isn’t immune from external forces seeking to upend the work. Because our work is focused on helping others it’s easy to think that it’s not subject to bad actors. But possessing a posture of fear and a general sense of mistrust and cynicism towards others isn’t the way forward, if we do that we will eventually become paralyzed and give up. Bad stuff, unfortunately, is happening everywhere, everyday, and will continue until we see Jesus face-to-face in the new heavens and new earth. I am reminding myself that if we are serving God for immediate results, thinking everything is going to be easy and fun, we are going to be very disappointed if and when circumstances begin to sour. 

We are evaluating our practices and will be adopting new guidelines on how we secure the assets the Lord, and you, have entrusted to our care. FYI, MNA Disaster Response has over 50 tagged vehicles that are strategically placed in PCA communities, so this is no small undertaking. And thanks for praying for us as we work to recover from this theft. Responding to disasters is expensive ministry, even when equipment doesn’t break or get stolen. Although the trailer had full coverage insurance on it, prices have risen dramatically in the last few years; this trailer has doubled in cost since we purchased it. The cost to replace this trailer and outfit is now over $20,000. If you would like to contribute to this need please mark your gift to Fund-0885 and add ‘Trailer Replacement’ in the memo line. 

MNADR leadership approved the purchase of a replacement trailer and outfitting; the replacement trailer is already working hard delivering HOPE. The stolen trailer’s twin will be transferred to the Dallas Depot.

When Hurricane Helene rushed ashore in late September 2024, it was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida and the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike mainland US since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

After rescue workers cleared areas, MNA Disaster Response began mobilizing first responder teams, first in Tallahassee FL and surrounding communities, then working our way into Georgia. Teams established major operations in Valdosta, Vidalia, and Augusta, all communities served by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). As landfall first became imminent, staff at The MNA Charles H. Jones Family Disaster Response Center in Rome GA and the MNA John Browne Family Disaster Response Center in Dallas TX began loading and transporting equipment toward where our teams would first place boots on the ground.

As the storm continued north, outer bands slammed coastal areas of Georgia, where it created lots of issues in the Augusta area. First PCA Augusta Georgia, a church with a highly skilled disaster response ministry sprung into action and communicated to us that they were willing to establish a volunteer hosting site for traveling teams to complement their own teams efforts.

However, the ‘Depot’ a building on their campus designated as a place where MNA Disaster Response could house traveling teams, was without power. MNA Disaster Response was prepared for that eventuality and rolled one of our 75KVA mobile generators there and teamed up with a member of the congregation who is a master electrician; he made the connection by simply knocking a hole in the wall and installing a new 200 amp service. Simple, right?

Initially, the “Depot’ was to be used for volunteer sleeping, but for at least a few days, before power was restored to the campus, some church workers also shared the space.

At the same time, MNA Disaster Response began loading and transporting trailer-loads of relief kits, already on-hand at the warehouse in Rome GA, to member congregations of Highlands Presbytery in western North Carolina. These kits included flood buckets, hygiene kits, and bedding replacement kits. To know more about the kits go here: https://www.mnawarehouse.com/downloads

Relief kits were also transported to Memorial Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton TN and Christ Community PCA of Johnson City TN, congregations united in love and mission to Highlands Presbytery of the PCA, and Westminster Presbytery of the PCA, respectively.

Traveling teams from Memorial have setup SOH in New Bern NC, Seneca SC, and assisted in training other teams in SOH kit production. Several years ago, the church invested in a SOH SmartBench, a jig that when used during kit production ensures accuracy of the shed.

Memorial, has been part of Sheds of HOPE for about 6 years. But this was different. Formally the church built Sheds of HOPE kits that were transported to other places. When Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters destroyed Memorial’s own community in the Appalachia Highlands the church had four SOH ready to deploy. All four were quickly transported to flooded homeowner properties and set up.

Subsequently, Memorial Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton TN invited several other PCA congregations to join with them and form a coalition to provide SOH in the tempest-tossed areas of Johnson, Carter, Washington, Unicoi, and Greene counties of TN. The other congregations include Westminster PCA of Johnson City TN, Christ Community PCA of Johnson City TN, Walnut Hill PCA of Bristol TN. This super exciting. Each congregation has committed leadership and construction volunteers to first evaluate candidate families, and then take part on setup days.

MNA Disaster Response immediately began transporting SOH to the staging area where Memorial’s team normally constructs SOH kits, a former grocery store (the grocery store) owned by a local physician who understands the importance of providing secure dry storage for storm victims. Typically when a major disaster occurs in a community where homes are destroyed or suffer major damage, the first thing that happens is that all of the available mini-storage units get rented on the first day. Therefore, most folks do not have a safe, weatherproof, secure place to store recovered belonging. The grocery store, now a SOH factory, has a nice size parking area where SOH kits can be staged. Memorial invested in a forklift years ago, so they were already prepared to be the best operations-base for this initiative.

MNA Disaster Response has committed to provide 30+ SOH to the coalition for this response, but will reevaluate as necessary, as informed by the coalition of congregations.

In addition, MNA Disaster Response had loaned the coalition the above ‘one-at-a-time’ transport trailer to make it easier to delivery a victim’s property.

If you would like to be part of this initiative, please reach out to Steve Britton @ sbritton@pcanet.org.

If you would like to help fund this initiative go here:

To Give Online: Click Here

To Give By Mail:

1. Make checks payable to Mission to North America
2. Note on the memo line  Acct. Sheds of Hope #1730
3. Mail your check to:

Mission to North America
P.O. Box 890233
Charlotte, NC 28289-0233

MNA Disaster Response Specialist for the Carolinas, Steve Jessen, was recently called on to coordinate help for two South Carolina based PCA congregations with members who lost everything in tragic fires. After a quick assessment Steve quickly made a call to the MNA Charles H. Jones Family Disaster Response Warehouse in Rome GA and ordered two Sheds of HOPE. Steve mobilized volunteer teams which quickly setup the Sheds of HOPE which are now providing secure storage for recovered belongings.

In the past, Sheds of HOPE were typically only provided after major disasters such as hurricanes or long-track tornadoes. Now MNA Disaster Response is equipped to provide assistance to congregations after smaller events. Take a look at the linked video to see how Sheds of HOPE was able to meet and immediate need.

We are overjoyed and thankful that MNA leadership thought it appropriate to feature MNA Disaster Response Sheds of HOPE in the August edition of Multiply, the flagship media resource of MNA. Please take a few minutes to watch the video linked below.

MNA Disaster Response has approximately 90 Sheds of HOPE ready to go at the MNA Charles H. Jones Family Disaster Response Center in Rome GA and the MNA John Browne Family Disaster Response Center in Dallas TX.

To know how your church can get trained to become a Sheds of HOPE team, please reach out to Steve Britton, MNA Disaster Response Specialist Sheds of HOPE @ sbritton@pcanet.org. To know more about MNA Disaster Response in the Carolinas, please contact Steve Jessen at sjessen@pcanet.org.

Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley (PMV) has approved a partnership with Raymond Presbyterian Church PCA in Raymond Mississippi to establish a Sheds of HOPE depot on the grounds of the church. The church has historic roots that go back to 1842. They have invited adjoining presbyteries to join them in this project. Now they are in the process of identifying deacons from each of their congregations to plan, promote, and resource this ministry.

The PMV Raymond Depot (RD), once up and operating, will provide a secure location in Central Mississippi to store relief supplies; provide disaster preparedness awareness and training; build Sheds of HOPE (SOH) kits; and resource PCA churches within Covenant Presbytery, Grace Presbytery, and the Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley, primarily, in the timely marshaling of critically needed resources for communities suffering from a natural or man-made disaster. This is a huge development that should be celebrated, proving once again that strong leadership and God’s unction create ministry movement.

The RD includes a 1,700 sq. ft. dedicated warehouse (once the US Post Office) for SOH kit construction, an already in place loading dock, and dedicated areas to store relief supplies such as relief kits and equipment. Additionally, there are restrooms, showers, a kitchen, and an open room that can be used as a dorm for traveling teams that wish to overnight. The RD will also become a collection and transfer point for congregations to assist MNA Disaster Response when relief supplies are needed in areas outside of the region. 

Please join Mission to North America in giving thanks for this amazing development. If you would like more information, or want to know how best to support Presbytery of Mississippi Valley in this project and how to serve please contact Steve Britton, MNA Disaster Response Sheds of HOPE Specialist at sbritton@pcanet.org He will put you in touch with the leadership team that is steering this project and available to speak with your congregation.

Effective August 1, 2023 Sheds of HOPE has new leadership!!!

Dear MNA Sheds of HOPE supporters,

Thank you for praying with MNA Disaster Response as we searched for the best staff member to coordinate our Sheds of HOPE ministry (SOH). God has answered our collective prayers and provided a super talented individual to join our team! DE Steve Britton has agreed to step into the role of MNA Disaster Response Specialist, Sheds of HOPE. My expectation is that, with your help, Steve will be onboard by August 1, just in time for the most dangerous days of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season. I am praying that you will consider joining Steve’s team with regular prayer and financial support.

Steve is a deacon at Delhi Presbyterian Church in Delhi, LA, a congregation united in love, trust, and mission with Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley.

Steve’s overall responsibility is to oversee, further develop, and expand the MNA Sheds of HOPE ministry, an important initiative of MNA Disaster Response. Since 2006 more than 1,822 Sheds of HOPE have been placed on the properties of disaster-crushed families; at today’s cost that is over $3,600,000. To know the complete history of SOH please click here.

Steve’s key areas of responsibility will be to:

• Refine SOH designs and construction methods.
• Develop readiness and rapid deployment methods.
• Develop regional and church-wide training initiatives.
• Develop strong relationships and sponsorships with suppliers.
• Further develop/refine appropriate methods of follow-ups with SOH recipients.
• Identify/develop SOH Key Leaders and regional construction teams andmanagers.
• Bring awareness and promote SOH among churches and presbyteries.
• Assist the MNA DR Facilitator in social, web-based, and IT resources development, relative to SOH, and their use.
• Work in partnership with fellow MNA DR Specialists, Assessment Teams, First Responders, Site Managers, and local church leadership.to integrate SOH into new responses.

The PCA has over 378,000 members in over 1,900 congregations across 88 presbyteries. MNA’s assigned responsibility is for direct assistance to those congregations within the U.S. and Canada.

As Steve begins connecting into the network he has his work cut out for him! Steve is joining MNA and is charged with raising his own support in a similar way, as other MNA staff. I commend him to you; please consider providing a startup gift designated for Steve and adding his ministry to your annual budget. Major disasters are happening more frequently and our workload assisting churches is full, so we are thankful that Steve will be in place soon.

The need is great for the type of leadership that Steve brings. Please welcome him as a worthy co-laborer in advancing God’s Kingdom. Please invite him to visit with your diaconate and missions committee. We consider it a privilege to have Steve in our leadership. You can reach Steve at sbritton@pcanet.org or at 318-348-3524.

We conducted a Sheds of Hope (SOH) kit building ‘tune-up’ July 10-14 at the MNA John Browne Family Disaster Response Center in Dallas TX. The purpose of the event was to reactivate the depot as a regional build site for SOH kits. Although the depot is full of a flurry of activity every week, it hasn’t been utilized to build SOH kits since John Browne’s faith became sight in 2020. The depot’s original purpose was to provide a secure temporary location in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex for local congregations to build SOH kits before we marshaled them to Houston TX after historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey crushed the city. But after the Houston response local leadership asked us to not abandon the ‘temporary’ site, but rather expand it as a regional depot. Go here to learn the history of the MNA John Browne Family Disaster Response Center.

The training was hosted by MNA Disaster Response Specialist Mark Becker, and Associate Specialist Rick Lenz who also serves as the Campus Manager. The training was led by DE Dick Forrester and a team from Lake Oconee PCA in Eatonton GA. Most of the participants came from congregations in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, but representatives from Plains PCA in Zachary LA also made the journey to take part in the refresher event. The Plains team has been regularly building SOH since their own community was flooded in 2016 when they saw firsthand the blessing that SOH are for displaced homeowners. 

After our lovely coworker John Browne’s passing in early 2020 and the subsequent arrival of the pandemic, we mothballed large-scale SOH production at the facility while ramping up production at other locations in GA, TN, and LA. But our goal all along was to reactivate SOH production in Dallas; when the time was right we would get the band back together! But first, we wanted to finish the campus renovation and dedicate it to God’s Glory. First things first!!!

We have been working hard to standardize the production of SOH across the network of kit builders. Plans have been fine-tuned, materials lists perfected, assembly practices systematized, suppliers identified, stacking, shrink-wrapping, storage, and transportation fine-tuned, etc. In addition, we are working to implement a system to track each SOH from the day the first screw is driven all the way through the day it is assembled on a survivors property. This development, once operational, will make it much easier for the local PCA congregation to provide follow-up with the shed recipient.

The recent ‘tune-up’ was a wonderful time to gather together those who had formally built many SOH along with those who has never built a single SOH, and those who have been working with us to keep the ministry running strong and improve it even during the pandemic. 

Seventeen individuals participated in the tune-up, which was a good number that insured each participant was able to receive one-on-one attention from the trainers. Four Sheds of HOPE were constructed during the event, bringing the inventory of sheds at the depot to 26 ready-to-ship, the greatest number we have ever had in Dallas!

Going forward the depot will be hosting quarterly SOH builds. We will reveal the dates for the next events soon, we invite your participation. Mission to North America Disaster Response has placed more than 70 Sheds of HOPE since last fall and 1,822 since we began this important work. At todays prices for materials that is an investment of more that $3,600,000, not a small number. If you would like to give a financial gift to help us to help more people, please contact Sherry Lanier at slanier@pcanet.org. To know how you can get involved with Sheds of HOPE please contact Steve Britton at sbritton@pcanet.org.