Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Bishop William W. Hutchinson and Rev. Don Cottrill reflect on the enormous responsibility of guiding the Louisiana Conference through Katrina and Rita. From promises to pastors to organizing large-scale relief, they reveal the leadership lessons forged in crisis. This closing episode captures the spirit of connection, courage, and hope beyond the storm.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Born from the merger of two historically separate congregations, First Grace UMC stands as a living example of unity and justice. Pastor Shawn Anglim and lay leader Margaret Washington share how Katrina’s upheaval opened the door to a new kind of church. Their story is one of faith, inclusion, and enduring community witness.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Rev. Martha Orphe played a central role in creating “Mission Zones” to keep ministry alive when congregations were displaced. She explains how cooperation and creativity shaped this new model for serving communities. The episode reveals how thoughtful structure can sustain hope after disaster.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Katrina became a defining moment for Rev. Kaseem and Sabrina Short, awakening a call to serve in bold new ways. They share how the crisis clarified their mission and deepened their faith. Their journey — selling everything they had and moving from Seattle, back home - underscores that God’s call can come in life’s most turbulent seasons.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Just three weeks after Katrina, Hurricane Rita struck southwest Louisiana, forcing churches already in relief mode into survival mode. Rev. Angela Bulhof and Rev. Karl Klaus recall the emotional and logistical challenges of evacuating twice. Their reflections highlight resilience in the face of back-to-back disasters.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

As a teenager from Ohio, Dan Bracken’s first mission trip to Louisiana after Katrina changed the trajectory of his life. He shares memories of long days, deep connections, and the enduring power of service. Guided by the saying “I don’t know how, but I know who,” Dan’s story is one of mission that lasts far beyond the trip.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Rob Weber and Drew Sutton took cameras into the hardest-hit areas after Katrina and Rita, documenting loss and resilience alike. Their work became a powerful fundraising and awareness tool for the church’s recovery efforts. This conversation explores how telling the story can be a form of ministry in itself.

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Rev. Ellen Alston recounts leading her congregation through the uncertainty of evacuation, the shock of loss, and the challenges of ministering in a scattered city. She reflects on the pastoral role as both spiritual guide and community anchor during a prolonged crisis. Her journey reveals the depth of care and adaptability required when shepherding through disaster.