Latest News
Southern District Deeds Former Trinity Claiborne Church Property to RAI
February 12, 2010-
The beginning stages of restoring the former Trinity Lutheran Church property on Claiborne St. in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans are now underway. The Southern District-LCMS recently deeded the property to RAI, as the congregation had disbanded several years ago after Hurricane Katrina.
At the present time, listening projects are taking place in the community in order to determine the facility’s best use moving forward. The goal is to restore the structure and to work with community leaders to develop the best plan for its use. Several ideas already presented include a youth center, community center, and a shared worship center for several congregations who are without a permanent building.
One of the hardest-hit areas of New Orleans by Katrina, the Lower Ninth Ward has had very few large buildings restored since the storm, and a restored Trinity Claiborne property would be a tremendous asset to the community as it continues its recovery.
Stay tuned as more news will be coming soon as plans are developed!
Executive Director Buss Announces Plans to Step Down; Board Begins Search for Successor
January 21, 2010 (Updated February 4, 2010)-
(Executive Director job posting at bottom of page.)
After almost five years of working in and leading the Hurricane Katrina and Rita recovery effort in the Southern District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Recovery Assistance, Inc. (RAI) Ministries’ Executive Director Rev. Dave Buss has announced his resignation, effective upon the hiring of his successor or August 29, 2010 (The fifth anniversary of Katrina making landfall).
“I was placed in an incredible place at an incredible time in U.S. history,” reflected Buss. “What a blessing it has been to be part of this powerful ministry - which continues to witness to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ in the aftermath of our country’s most destructive storms. I thank God for this opportunity and I thank the people of God for their response!”
Pastor Buss plans to return to parish ministry after his replacement is found.
In August of 2005, Buss helped lead the Trinity Lutheran-Baton Rouge response before being asked to coordinate the volunteer effort for the Southern District and then for Lutheran Disaster Response until March of 2006. In August of 2006, Buss took over as head of the Southern District LCMS Disaster Team from Rev. Dave Lewis and from it, founded RAI Ministries, a legally separate corporation to continue the long term response. Buss’ achievements:
-Organized early volunteer camps and the centralized reservation system for managing tens of thousands of “muck-out” and construction volunteers.
-Founded and incorporated RAI Ministries as an ongoing mission serving those in need on the Gulf Coast.
-Directed the effort to:
o Repair and restore over 6,000 homes of families who survived Katrina,
o Rebuild four Lutheran church buildings (a fifth is in progress).
o Assist 40 affected LCMS congregations (and many non Lutheran congregations) in their recovery efforts.
o Equip tens of thousands of volunteers from all over the nation and world to share the hope of Jesus Christ.
-Positioned RAI to be awarded multiple FEMA case-management grants providing case management and recovery plan assistance to thousands of families living in FEMA-assisted housing.
“On behalf of the Board, we thank Dave for his tireless service to the cause for over four years,” commented Woody Keim, RAI Ministries Board Chairman. “His work has been a true blessing to thousands and he will be sorely missed.”
A nationwide search to fill the position will begin immediately. The RAI board plans to hire a CEO with the intention of expanding RAI’s impact on recovery efforts and ministry in the Gulf Coast for years to come. A job description and instructions for inquiries and nominations can be downloaded here.
RAI Ministries is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Louisiana. RAI’s mission is “To restore faith, home and community in the name of Jesus to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.”
RAI Ministries Haiti Response
January 14, 2010-
We at RAI Ministries offer our prayers and support for those affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Our mission partners Lutheran Church Charities and Orphan Grain Train are well-suited-for and actively responding to the needs in Haiti, and we encourage anyone seeking to assist to consider helping through these ministries.
The Southern District-LCMS is also working with the Florida-Georgia District, which has had an ongoing mission for Haiti and is responding as well. Click here for their website.
We are also exploring where we might provide assistance for the response, offering our expertise acquired from our continuing response to Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.
If you have any questions or thoughts regarding RAI’s Haiti response, please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Thank you, and God Bless!
Pastor Dave Buss
Executive Director
2010 RAI (Recovery Assistance, Inc.) Ministries Outlook
January 11, 2010-
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
As part of their ongoing stewardship of our mission, RAI (Recovery Assistance, Inc.) Ministries’ Board of Directors is strategically planning with the goal of taking RAI to the next level in making life-changing events possible for those we serve, in the Gulf Coast communities around us, and for the church at large.
Looking forward to 2010, we look to God to lead us as we eagerly anticipate the following:
-Welcoming thousands of new and returning volunteers to Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore who, in combination with our caseworkers, will work to return over 1,000 families to their homes in 2010.
-Expanding our volunteer partnerships to include over 50 other ministries and nonprofit service organizations and projects in New Orleans and Biloxi, helping restore and heal the fabric of our communities.
-Entrusting organizational leadership to a new Executive Director who will carry the mission forth with a Christ-centered focus, integrity and a passion for the people of the Gulf Coast (Click here for more information).
-Working with the 30,000-plus participants coming to New Orleans for the 2010 LCMS National Youth Gathering in July as they share what they believe and know – the peace and joy that comes from living in Christ.
-Sharing our progress and new opportunities at the LCMS Convention this summer, proclaiming what God has done through the Church in the past five years on the Gulf Coast.
Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, we at RAI Ministries have had a front-row view of the tremendous outpouring of love, kindness and caring that hundreds of thousands of volunteers and supporters have shared with those in need on the Gulf Coast. We thank God for everyone who has played a part!
We are humbled by the continued outpouring of support, and ask God to help us make the best use of the blessings we’ve received:
-The prayers of thousands of supporters from across the country.
-The opportunity to continue welcoming, housing and equipping volunteers in their ministry of restoring faith, home and community on the Gulf Coast.
-Donations and financial support from individuals, churches and organizations – making our volunteers’ work possible.
-Grants supporting our caseworkers in Mississippi and Louisiana that continue to connect families with the resources to return home.
Thanks to all who have given of their time, talents and treasure to support our mission. I encourage your continued prayerful involvement in 2010 and beyond.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave Buss
New Video: Camp Biloxi Update Nov. ‘09
December 22, 2009-
Watch our new video update from Camp Biloxi this fall in the Multimedia section here. Featured in the video are homeowner Morris Robinson, volunteers from Indiana and Wisconsin, and long-term volunteer Tom Fox.
Updated with Video: Miss America Visits RAI
November 18, 2009-
Miss America 2009 Katie Stam visited New Orleans on October 7 and stopped by Camp Restore for a special message to area students, then joined with volunteers from Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore for a painting project and a house blessing. All this after visiting Atonement Lutheran School and Lutheran High in Metairie in the morning—quite a day! To see Katie’s account of her visit at the Miss America website, click here and scroll to her October 14, 2009 entry.
Click here for more information about getting involved with RAI Ministries’ mission to restore faith, home and community to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
October 5, 2009- Click here to read more.
For more information please contact: Kurt Jostes, Director of Development For immediate release NEW ORLEANS (September 28, 2009)—Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, will be visiting RAI Ministries’ Camp Restore in New Orleans East on October 7th, 2009 to speak to volunteers and take part in a restoration project and house blessing, helping raise awareness for the continuing needs of the people of the Gulf Coast still in recovery four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It will be the final stop for Miss Stam on a two-day tour which will begin with visits to Lutheran schools in Baton Rouge and Metairie. Miss Stam, from Seymour Ind., is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and an alumnus of the LCMS school system. Recovery Assistance, Inc. Ministries (RAI Ministries) restores faith, home, and community to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina in the Name of Jesus Christ through the operation of two volunteer camps: Camp Biloxi in Biloxi, Miss. and Camp Restore in New Orleans East. Thousands of volunteers from across the United States travel to the camps each year to physically rebuild family dwellings, churches, and schools and participate in numerous other restoration projects while providing emotional and spiritual care to those in need. As of September, 2009, RAI Ministries’ camps have housed over 30,000 volunteers, providing approximately 1,348,000 volunteer hours and completing work on over 2,700 major home repairs/rebuilds ($1,000-plus in materials costs) and over 3,900 minor home repairs (<$1,000 in materials costs) and other projects. On the weekend of August 29, 2009, the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina [K4], RAI Ministries held several “Restoration Sunday” events at Camp Restore, including a Lutheran Hour Ministries Men’s NetWork gathering, jambalaya cookoff and worship service commemorating the anniversary and giving thanks for all the volunteer work that’s been completed thus far. Click here for photos and more!
RAI Ministries’ August newsletter is now online! This issue features a report on the exciting community partnerships underway at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in New Orleans, a ton of information about all the events surrounding K4, a report from summer intern Brenda Schmidt, the Thank-You Tour and more! Click here to check it out under Newsletters.
A new batch of photos from the past few weeks at Camp Restore is now online! Check it out here under the Camp Restore photos section.
Come out to see Tangled Blue Wednesday July 1 at 7pm at Camp Restore! Tangled Blue consists of Joel and Aimee Pakan from Minnesota playing great Christian Campfire Oldies along with secular covers for God. Great event for families, youth groups, and music lovers! Read more here!
Over 120 youth showed up at Camp Restore Thursday June 11 for a weekend of fun, hard work and reconnecting with God. Click here to see new photos and more.
A video account of Faith Lutheran-Rochester NY’s 2007 mission trip to Camp Biloxi is now online in our Multimedia section. Enjoy!
Now you can easily search and see if your employer will help multiply the impact of your gift, then download the information and forms to make it happen—all at our new Matching Gifts page. Try it out here!
A new video showing the recovery progress in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish in 2009 is now viewable under Multimedia! It was produced by a volunteer group from Zion Lutheran in Victorville, CA. Thanks guys, great work!
Arnie Fielkow, City Councilmember At Large for the City of New Orleans, welcomed Katie to the city and thanked her for visiting the area and supporting the continued Katrina recovery effort. Photos provided by Bill Mattheessen. 
Students from H.C. Schaumberg and Joseph A. Craig elementary schools listened as Katie spoke and had the chance to ask her questions.
Katie spoke about a wide range of topics, including what it’s like being Miss America, what school was like for her growing up, how she draws inspiration and hope from the people she gets to meet, and the opportunity each one of us has to make a positive impact on those around us.
After lunch and a quick change into paint-friendly clothes at Camp Restore, Katie traveled to join volunteers working to paint Chaquita Day’s house. Chaquita is a homeowner in New Orleans East who was finally able to return to New Orleans from Houston this past summer to live with relatives and hopes to be back in her home by January.
A potential future Miss America?
A volunteer hands off a paint roller—let the painting begin! Several of the volunteers working at Miss Day’s home happened to be from Katie’s home state of Indiana.
On to the window trim…
The whole crew gathers outside. Represented are four generations in Chaquita’s family - herself and her mother, daughter and granddaughter.
Next is the house blessing—Katie carries in a “welcome home pack”...
...and is greeted out front by 87-year-old Gladys Hays!
Gladys gave Katie a full tour of the house, showing off all the work that had been completed by volunteers from Camp Restore as well as several projects she is working on herself.
In the house blessing service, God was asked to grant His blessing on Gladys and on her restored home, and to bless all who live in it until they reach their heavenly home.
In addition to the welcome home pack, Gladys was presented with a painting from IArtists, an art organization assisting with the revitalization of New Orleans.
Gladys and Katie see how it looks on the wall.RAI Ministries Expands Case-Management Program into Louisiana
Since June 2008, RAI Ministries has contracted with the State of Mississippi and, more recently, the State of Louisiana as an affiliate in a Federally-funded case management pilot program. The goal is to determine the best form of case management to deploy in future disasters, while equipping Katrina survivors still living in FEMA-assisted housing with a comprehensive recovery plan that will connect them with permanent, affordable housing solutions. Miss America Coming to Camp Restore October 7
Press Release
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Phone: 504-242-2636 ext. 5015
Fax: 504-242-5885
http://www.raiministries.orgGod’s Gumbo Gang at 2009 Orphan Grain Train Convention
To show our thanks for Orphan Grain Train’s continued support of Camp Biloxi, Camp Restore and other hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, RAI Ministries and God’s Gumbo Gang from Trinity Lutheran Church-Baton Rouge, LA paid a visit to Norfolk, Nebraska this past weekend (9/19/09) to share some Louisiana cooking at the OGT Int’l Convention. On the menu: jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and rice. For dessert: Bread pudding with rum sauce! Photos courtesy Scott Schmieding.
L to R: Kurt Jostes, RAI Ministries; Dottie Calmes, Trinity Baton Rouge; Woody Keim, RAI Ministries; Pastor Dave Buss, RAI Ministries.
You can never go wrong with rice and shrimp (and lots of it).
Fresh shrimp from the Gulf!
Sprig of parsley? A bag is more like it! Pastor Scott Schmieding of Trinity, Baton Rouge and his mother Karen, a Nebraska local, prepare the herbal seasoning. “This was our way of expressing thanks from LCMS members throughout our Southern District to the wonderful people associated with Orphan Grain Train,” said Schmieding. “They truly shared Christ’s hope with us in our time of need.”
Roux for the gumbo. Find out more about roux here.
The “holy trinity” of celery, bell peppers and onions is added to sausage to begin making jambalaya.
Time to add rice… Glen Schmieding (father to Pastor Scott) stirs as Woody pours.
Red beans and rice.
Mmmm bread pudding and rum sauce! Dottie did an amazing job!
Looonng line! Over 400 people were fed in 35 minutes! Thanks again Orphan Grain Train for all that you’ve done for the Gulf Coast!
Restoration Sunday Events at Camp Restore - August 29, 2009
August ‘09 Newsletter Online
Photo Update from Camp Restore
Tangled Blue Concert at Camp Restore
Camp Restore Hosts Southern District Youth Gathering-Updated With Photos!
New Camp Biloxi video online
Employer Gift-Matching Search Now Online
New volunteer-produced video