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South Georgian makes ten-year hurricane relief commitment

Nov. 28, 2005

Pascagoula, MS-- Beachfront neighborhoods in Pascagoula, Mississippi simply don't exist anymore. "I thought I'd seen damage, until I seen Katrina," that's how David Baker describes the devastation on the Mississippi coast.

Baker has seen damage from natural disasters before.  He has volunteered to help disaster victims about 20 times in the last 20 years. "My first one was a flood up in north Georgia and it was like well this is really where God wants me to be," Baker said. He heard God's call again when Katrina hit. "When you know where God wants you, you have no questions. You just do it."

The devastation from Katrina is so immense, Baker said "There's no words to really describe it." He decided to make a unique commitment.  "I said well Lord, you called me into the ministry so I guess this is where you want me for the next ten years."

Baker quit his job in Albany, packed up his belongings, and moved into a tiny trailer in a church parking lot in Pascagoula. "It's just that you've got to have faith and really believe that God's going to provide all your needs," Baker said. He says it will take ten years to rebuild this community, and he plans to stay until the job is done. "I love sharing and I love giving back to the community, and I love sharing what God can do for you."

Baker now works with an interfaith group in Pascagoula organizing volunteer mission teams from around the country. "I stay on the phone all day long booking people and trying to figure out ways to raise money." He also searches the community for people whose needs aren't being met. "Everyday you find some new person," Baker said, and he can relate to those people. "I know what they're going through."

Not long ago, David survived his own disaster. "I lost my house about two years ago. It burned to the ground," he explained. Though he lost most everything he owned, he gained an even stronger desire to help others. "I am one blessed person. I am blessed," he said with conviction. And he plans to share those blessings for years to come by rebuilding a region by restoring faith, by answering the call.

Baker's ministry is called Operation Love Thy Neighbor.  Right now, they need donations of cash and food, and they need more volunteer mission teams to come to Pascagoula to help storm victims rebuild.  You can send a donation to P.O. Box 2325 Pascagoula, MS 39569, or you can call 228-627-0510.

Baker is also working with his home church, Sherwood Baptist, to collect Christmas gifts for children on the Gulf coast.  You can call Sherwood at 883-1910 if you'd like to help.

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