Creative Ways to Warm up Your Chuch - Wisconsin Conference Life

Founded in 1922 to serve the poor in fish camp communities in the "back bay" area off the Gulf coast, one of the poorest areas of our country at the time. The mission has continued to serve its community ever since. The buildings and much of the equipment of the mission was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, but, thanks to the generosity of churches, church people, the national UCC, and partners of Back Bay Photo Credit: Back Bay Mission

Mission in the Council of Health and Human Service Ministries, the physical plant and program of the mission are back and better than ever. Back Bay Mission is an official partner in the Wisconsin Council of Health and Human Service Ministries.

I was delighted to find many Wisconsin connections at the dedication program. Chief among these connections is the leadership of Rev. Shari Prestemon as the executive director of BBM. Shari came to her current position from the pastorate of Peace UCC in Stevens Point, and she is credited with extraordinary leadership during the time of recovering from destruction following the hurricane. Despite the losses, the mission program almost immediately began to serve others who had lost homes and jobs in the wake of the storm. Nearly every program of Back Bay Mission has not only recovered but significantly expanded since 2005, thanks to gifts and volunteer service from throughout the UCC.

Rev. Bonnie Van Overbeke of Fitchburg is currently on the board of BBM. Honored at the program were Jim and Debbie Hoogesteter of Wisconsin Rapids, owners of Pittsville Homes, who provided a modular home to replace on site housing. Today it serves as housing to interns and long-term volunteers. First Congregational, Appleton was also recognized for more than 20 years of work camping at BBM, and the Benzschawel's, who are members in Appleton, were honored for exceptional volunteer service. One of the videos of the recovery efforts showed a work group from Wisconsin and interviewed a youth volunteer who spoke eloquently of her faith experience in helping others.

I was proud of the Wisconsin Conference as I shared in the dedication weekend. It was frequently mentioned that churches of the Wisconsin Conference have sent more work groups than almost any other state. Thank you. And, to bring home the message from Shari Prestemon, "keep coming!" The need remains great, and the volunteer work group program is doing more than ever for those who lost their homes and all their possessions in this "storm of the century".

The new facilities at Back Bay Mission provide modern accommodations, for groups, and the Mission leadership provides not only assistance in trip planning but guidance to make the experience one of spiritual growth as well as volunteer service. The "God Is Still Speaking" signs all around the Mission are a continuing reminder that this is our ministry, a UCC mission, and, more importantly, that an Easter God always has more hope to speak to those for whom death tried to have the last word.

What a joy for me to see for myself another one of the places that my pennies and nickels went more than 50 years ago, and what a blessing to know that this mission, begun by three small and struggling Evangelical Synod congregations some 87 years ago, now continues to serve the poor, new immigrants, and those who lost all in nature's destructive forces. We are grateful to God for those who serve in Biloxi on our behalf and for all who volunteer and travel on missions of service and faith today.

Wishing you many blessings.
David S. Moyer
Conference Minister