NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — In late August 2005, the skies over the Gulf Coast darkened as Hurricane Katrina barreled toward the city of New Orleans. The forecasts were dire. Everyone knew the storm would be bad—but no one knew just how much life would change, or how this tragedy would give rise to a global mission.
When the levees broke, the city fell silent. “No lights, just death everywhere,” one responder recalled. “The amount of need was hard to even describe.”
But that moment of heartbreak sparked something powerful—something still changing lives around the world today.
Friends Like You Helped Launch a Global Mission
In the midst of the devastation, God stirred hearts to respond. That faithful commitment transformed local relief into a global mission—planting the seeds for Operation Blessing’s Global Disaster Response ministry.
Flip phones in hand and boots on the ground, our early teams didn’t yet know that two months of crisis work in New Orleans would become two years of divine assignment. They saw destruction firsthand… but they also witnessed hope, resilience, and the miracle of partnership.
“We were just trying to help wherever we could. There weren’t enough hours in the day,” one staff member shared. “But God kept opening doors.”
What began as one urgent response grew into a full-fledged global mission—reaching disaster zones across the U.S. and around the world. From feeding families in flooded towns, to offering solar light and water filters after earthquakes, Operation Blessing has now helped survivors in more than 90 countries and territories. And it all started with Katrina.
Relive the Moment That Changed Everything
Now, on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we invite you to watch a powerful new trailer that tells the untold story—how one storm helped shape a ministry that continues to bring God’s love in times of crisis.
🎥 Watch the Trailer
You’ll witness:
- The emotional aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
- The birth of a calling to serve in crisis
- The power of partnership to rebuild broken communities
As one team member says in the video, “This is a new thing. A new day. A new opportunity to solve a new problem.”
And that global mission continues today—because of friends like you.
Together, we’ve seen how tragedy can be transformed into triumph. You are part of this incredible legacy of hope. Thank you for being there when it mattered most. And thank you for continuing to care.
📽️ Don’t miss this inspiring story—click to watch the trailer now!
