Disaster Response

Bring your youth group or adult team for a week of hurricane recovery work in Florida, alongside the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response and local long-term recovery agencies. You’ll serve neighbors by day, and Luther Springs counselors lead your evenings.

EMAIL TO REGISTER

Questions, or ready to register your group? Email Deacon Sue Mendenhall at smendenhall@novusway.org or Deacon Macy Bakken at mbakken@novusway.org.

How the week works ↓

A teen in work gloves giving two thumbs up while clearing a garden bed outside Faith Lutheran Church, an adult working beside him

A Bible study in the ocean.

Ricky, a Luther Springs counselor, spent a Disaster Response week on the Florida Gulf Coast with a group from out of state. One of his campers, Jack, had never done disaster work and wasn’t sure what the trip was for.

Read their story →

“He was very stand-offish when he first arrived.”

Ricky, a Luther Springs counselor

Read on

“He really started listening to the people in the community and was interested in their stories.”

Ricky, a Luther Springs counselor

“Jack later told me that he wasn’t aware such damage was even possible.”

Ricky, a Luther Springs counselor

Read on

“What we saw really affected him and made him start to pay attention to people and what they had been through.”

Ricky, a Luther Springs counselor

“I didn’t realize how much faith means to people in need.”

Jack, a camper (not his real name)

Read on

“They’ve lost so much, and yet they’re still hopeful. This week has shown me what faith is all about.”

Jack, a camper (not his real name)

How the week works.

Your week starts with dinner and team building. It ends with a fun day on the beach, a boat trip, and worship together.

Out in the community

On service days, your group works alongside people in communities hit by recent hurricanes as they repair and rebuild, and listens to their stories. What you do depends on what neighbors need.

Groups on past Mission Weeks have painted buildings, hauled out flood-damaged debris, trimmed trees and packed food boxes for families still recovering from the storms.

Evenings together

Every evening, Luther Springs counselors lead your group in team building, games, faith formation and worship. Faith comes up in other places too.

“Floating around in the ocean and talking about God is so different than sitting in a church.”

Ricky, a Luther Springs counselor

Where you stay

Your group is based at a congregation in Pinellas County, with indoor bunkrooms, shower trailers, a gathering space and a commercial kitchen. Your week’s price covers housing, all meals from Sunday dinner to Friday breakfast, tools and programming. Groups bring their own transportation.

Close to home.

Luther Springs has served Florida communities after hurricanes for years. After Hurricane Ian in 2022, groups on Disaster Response Mission Weeks worked on homes and churches in Fort Myers and packed food for families who were still struggling.

When Hurricane Milton came through in October 2024, camp lost power and trees came down, though the buildings looked unharmed. NovusWay set out to grow its Southwest Disaster Response work with Inspiritus, so more mission groups could help with the recovery.

“We know that our neighbors, especially to the south are not as fortunate, and we continue to lift them in prayer.”

NovusWay, October 2024

Read the October 2024 update →

Bring your group.

Disaster Response Mission Weeks are for groups: youth groups with their adult leaders, and adult teams.

EMAIL TO REGISTER

Questions, or ready to register your group? Email Deacon Sue Mendenhall at smendenhall@novusway.org or Deacon Macy Bakken at mbakken@novusway.org.

Deacon Sue Mendenhall, Co-Executive Director, and Deacon Macy Bakken, Assistant Program Director, help plan your group's week: smendenhall@novusway.org, mbakken@novusway.org.