In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Shreveport-Bossier quickly became a refuge for evacuees, and the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission stood ready to respond.

We joined forces with organizations like the American Red Cross, churches, and other organizations across our community to welcome evacuees with safe shelter, hot meals, clothing, and compassionate care—not just meeting physical needs but offering prayer, encouragement, and the hope of Christ in the midst of overwhelming loss. For many, this was the first time they could rest, breathe, and begin to imagine a path forward.

Our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly, helping evacuees find resources and housing. We saw God’s provision through the generosity of our community, who gave food, blankets, clothing, and financial support to make this urgent response possible. The Mission became a picture of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a time of disaster.

While Katrina was a defining moment, it was not the last time our city and community have faced crisis. Whether it’s a family who lost their home in a fire, an individual escaping domestic violence, or someone struggling through economic hardship, the Mission continues to stand as a safe haven in life’s storms.

Every day, men, women, and children walk through our doors in desperate need—sometimes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Just as we did in 2005, we provide them with immediate shelter, meals, clothing, and support services. But beyond these essentials, we offer something even greater: hope, healing, and the opportunity for life transformation through Christ.

Hurricane Katrina showed us the power of community when people rally together to serve those in need. It also deepened our commitment to be prepared—spiritually and practically—to respond to crises of any kind. Today, nearly twenty years later, the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission remains on the frontlines, serving as a refuge not only in natural disasters but in the personal disasters that strike families and individuals every single day.

When disaster strikes—whether on a national scale or in one person’s life—the Mission will always be here to open our doors and our hearts. Together with the continued prayers and support of our community, we will keep changing our cities one life at a time.