After seeing the devastation along the Gulf Coast after hurricane Katrina, Greg Rife began driving relief supplies into the area. After his third trip to the region, Greg decided he would close his contracting firm temporarily to assist in the relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, specifically in the hard hit Mississippi coast. What was intended to be a few weeks, has now stretched into over two years with over 600 homes, scores of churches, and thousands of Gulf Coast residents receiving help and support from Restore Ministries.

 
Our Present  

 Immediately after arriving in Bay St. Louis, Greg began receiving hundreds of volunteers to help in the clean-up and food-relief efforts. With the overwhelming needs of the people and such an incredible response from individuals all over the nation, Greg decided to go full time in disaster relief efforts. Joining him in these early days of ministry was a volunteer, Adam Meyer, who continues now as a full time Restore Ministries missionary. From a simple relief trip to the present-day operation, Restore Ministries is now organized with equipment, resources, and volunteers on the ready to respond to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or even terrorist attacks. From their headquarters in Southeast Texas, Restore Ministries can mobilize and be on the scene with food, water, supplies, and recovery equipment hours after a disaster occurs. While Restore Ministries operates with a small full-time staff, it has a database with hundreds of names of volunteers across the country ready to respond whenever the need arises. Restore Ministries is a not-for-profit ministry that exists to assist others in time of crisis.

  Our Future 

Due to the nature of the ministry Restore Ministries must be ready at any time to respond when a disaster strikes. It was literally weeks and months after Katrina before basic necessities began reaching some of the most devastated areas. One of the congressmen from Southeast Texas noted that if it had not been for the faith-based agencies, victims of hurricane Rita would not have received any help during the first several weeks following the storm. Restore Ministries has on stand-by trailers full of bedding, food, water, and building materials, so that when a disaster occurs immediate help can be provided. Plans for the future include a mobile kitchen and mobile shower unit. Greg saw first hand what a hot meal and shower can do to lift the spirits of not only the victims of a disaster but also the relief workers as well. While Restore Ministries is a hands-on relief ministry, they will also be partnering with supporting churches to assist with the spiritual needs of people through counseling, prayer, and church services. America remains the primary field, but Restore Ministries has also assisted with disasters in the Caribbean.