First Congo On The Road

Pam and I had the honor of participating in the re-dedication of Back Bay Mission’s campus.  The campus is now completely rebuilt following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.  I wish we could report the same as true for all of the Gulf Coast.  There remains much to be done and with the completion of their rebuilding, Back Bay can now focus on doing their part to help with the rest of the restoration.

One startling fact we learned while there is that FEMA arbitrarily removed all of the remaining temporary housing.  This is a change that was obvious as we drove around Biloxi.  Unfortunately this only adds to the burden of those still not back home following the storm.  In one case, Back Bay volunteers formed a “bucket brigade” to remove a residents belongings just before they removed her trailer.  Had they not been there, she would have lost what little she had left.

Regarding the campus, one of the new buildings is the Micah Center.  This building is designed as a multi-use facility that could someday house a congregation should one choose to reorganize.  There has not been a UCC church in Mississippi since the early 70’s when the remaining church paid the price for standing up for equal rights.