Our Story
Valley Disaster Relief
"Cutting Straight to the Truth"

    The Poplar Bluff group had formed a Chain Saw Disaster Relief Unit several years prior to
    Katrina.  They wanted to share the Good News and the Hope that is to be found in Jesus
    Christ through their service to victims of disasters.  They decided that tree removal for
    home owners that had been struck by a tornado, hurricane or ice storm, would be a great
    way to serve.  So, they put together a trailer stocked with Stihl chain saws and safety gear
    and they did safety training with their volunteers.  When storms hit; they responded.  They
    found that this was a great way to serve because it met the needs of many who otherwise
    couldn’t afford to clean up trees that had fallen on top of their homes.  It was also the
    perfect opportunity to remind victims that there’s no better place to turn in times of disaster
    than to turn to the Lord and that there’s no safer place to be, than in His hands.

    Katrina was unlike any other storm.  The area devastated by Katrina was far more
    widespread than anything that Poplar Bluff had ever responded to in the past.  The Poplar
    Bluff group knew right away, they needed more people.  That’s where Valley Church came
    in to the picture.  With nearly 3,000 people calling Valley Church ‘home’; it was a perfect fit
    and God put the two of us together.  They had equipment and we had people; and it was
    just what many of us were looking for; a hands-on way to serve.

    Valley Church volunteers worked along side the Poplar Bluff Chain Saw Unit in week long
    stints during the months of September and November of 2005 and January and March of
    2006.  The experience left many of us with memories we’ll never forget.  After removing a
    huge tree that had been lying on someone’s house and then gathering together, joining
    hands and praying for that person and their family; these victims of Katrina were often
    overcome with emotion.  With tears and hugs, they’d show us their gratitude.

    After the post-Katrina tree removal had finished, many Valley Church volunteers felt that it
    was time to put together our own Chain Saw Disaster Relief Unit, so that we could respond
    to both local and national disasters.  So, we prayerfully moved forward, first with fund
    raising efforts and then with the purchase of equipment.  Now, nearly two years to the day
    from when Katrina hit New Orleans, Valley Church has its very own Chain Saw Disaster
    Relief Unit.  

    We’d like to thank Clive Power Equipment and Mississippi Valley Stihl for generously
    donating some of our equipment.  We’d also like to thank the many individuals from within
    and from outside of Valley Church that have made financial contributions to support this
    ministry.  A special Thank You also goes out to our Brothers & Sisters from Cane Creek
    Stoddard Baptist Association of Poplar Bluff who have helped guide us along the way and
    who we will always look forward to working with in the future.  
    To God Be the Glory!