It’s been nearly five years since Hurricane Katrina hit this area, but there are still some needs remaining.
This week, a group of volunteers from Minnesota have been assisting local residents.
Oscar McGrew of 1045 Pierce Street in Laurel said he’s thankful for the volunteers who are “working to fix the roof” on his home.
When volunteers arrived at the Pierce Street residence on Monday, they found the blue tarp roof covering that was so widely used following Hurricane Katrina still on McGrew’s house.
McGrew, who has lived at the residence about 20 years, said he was unable to get his roof repaired after Katrina.
“This damage is the result of Katrina,” he said. “I just wasn’t able to get the roof I wanted and needed. ... I’m just glad they are fixing my roof.”
Rev. J.L. Holloway, pastor of St. Elmo Baptist Church, said he’s happy that visitors are willing to lend a helping hand to residents of Laurel.
“After five years, we are still faced with Katrina. ... Thanks to this group, the Katrina top here is gone,” Holloway said with a smile. “Members of St. Elmo saw a need here and we suggested that the volunteers come here and help.”
Holloway, said members of his church are happy to be able to get help from other areas and appreciate the assistance.
“This is their way of sharing,” Holloway said. “They are actually doing the work and demonstrating the love of Christ.”
Mark Bjorlo, pastor of The Journey North Community Church of Brainerd, Minn., said the trip to Laurel has become a mission work for his Minnesota congregation.
Through a series of events, he said, the group ended up working at St. Elmo Baptist.
“Pastor Holloway’s son, Scottie Holloway, was my preaching professor,” Bjorlo recalled. “We began working with Pastor Holloway through a group of churches called the Converge World Wide or the Minnesota Baptist Convention. ... We picked this area and have continued to come back.”
The group arrived in town on Friday and plans to work through Thursday on local projects.
When the Minnesotans arrived, they came ready to work with saws, hammers, nails and other equipment.
The pastors agree that the partnership between St. Elmo and The Journey Church is unique.
“They bring the labor and 98.9 percent of the money,” Holloway said.
Bjorlo, who was the guest speaker at St. Elmo’s Sunday service, credits Holloway and St. Elmo for “bringing 100 percent of the vision.”
“It’s a good partnership,” Holloway said.
Bjorlo said the team of volunteers is currently on the group’s sixth visit to Laurel in five years.
“We’ve come at least once every year since (Hurricane) Katrina to work with Pastor Holloway and the church here,” Bjorlo said. “We plan to close in on 100 roofs in this area.”
Holloway said about 300 volunteers have come to the area since Katrina.
He said McGrew’s house is the 93rd roof that the group has replaced/repaired. Along with fixing roofs, the group also aid residents by performing various other fix-up projects.
“This is just the beginning,” Holloway said.
The ministers said through the years, the number of volunteers have declined. However, Bjorlo said, his group will continue to provide aid in the area as long as it’s needed.
“We are just happy to serve,” Bjorlo said.
Holloway said St. Elmo will continue to work with the Minnesota congregation and hopefully provide assistance to others through the coming years and the group’s future visits.
Local News
Related Photos
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Photo/Eloria Newell James
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