Disaster Response Update
Bringing the Light to Darkness – Long-Term Recovery from Helene
NC Conference, Global Methodist Church, Disaster Response Missions
As we share this mid-December report, we want to begin with gratitude and praise. Even through cold weather and the busy end-of-year season, God continues to move in mighty ways across Western North Carolina and beyond. This is a general overview of Disaster Response efforts connected to long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene. As of this writing, this report is prepared mid-December and will not fully reflect all the work completed during December 2025. The story God is writing is still unfolding!
Together—with local churches, mission teams, partner agencies, and dedicated volunteers—we are witnessing lives restored, hope renewed, and communities strengthened. Beyond the numbers, we celebrate tangible signs of progress: campers delivered for temporary housing, power restored, heating provided, and three families welcomed into permanent homes; we even able to advocate with FEMA on the behalf of a Helene victim who was on the verge of being evicted, but she is now decorated for Christmas and feeling the love of Christ. These moments are holy reminders that recovery is not just about rebuilding structures, but about restoring dignity, stability, hope and bringing His light to the world around us.
We often decorate Christmas trees with lights, and those lights represent the church shining the light of Christ into a dark world. Christ is the light of the world, and He has made us a light to the nations especially in times of disaster.
Overview of Activity
Intake / Requests Processed
- November-December: 34
Projects Completed
- November: 56 projects
- December: 21 projects
Mission Teams Hosted
- November: 6
- December: 7
Case Worker & Coordination Highlights
Behind every completed project and answered request for assistance is significant behind-the-scenes work. Our case worker and coordinators have been faithfully serving families and partners through:
- Client interaction and communication (phone calls, emails, texts): 57
- Pick-up, delivery, and coordination of needed materials: 7
- Delivery of Christmas: 73
- Processing applications and multi-agency communications: 52
- Internal coordination and communication efforts: 300+
- In-person and virtual meetings: 11
- Public appreances, including housewarming and welcome-home events: 4
Better Together
These numbers represent only a portion of what God is doing through this ministry. Many additional referrals have been coordinated with outside agencies, expanding the reach and effectiveness of disaster response efforts through strong and valuable partnerships. We are deeply thankful for every volunteer, donor, prayer partner, and collaborating organization that has made this work possible.
As we move toward the close of the year and the last Sunday of Advent has passed, we remain confident that the same God who has carried us this far will continue to provide, guide, and restore and shine His light. We praise God for what has been done, and we look ahead to 2026 with hope for all that is still to come—because we are truly the Salt and Light of the World through Jesus.
Press On!
For more information and volunteer opportunities; contact Jeff Brotherton 828-399-0318
Co-Chair, Disaster Response Missions, NC Global Methodist Church