A Calling That Found Me

I never set out to become a missionary or a disaster relief coordinator. It wasn’t a childhood dream or a goal I carefully planned. It was something that found me, pulled me in, and changed my life in ways I never expected.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed that faith isn’t just about what we say—it’s about what we do. I grew up understanding that Christianity is more than going to church on Sundays; it’s about serving others, showing kindness, and stepping up when people are in need. That belief became real for me when I joined the North Carolina Baptist Men’s Association more than 30 years ago.

I had no idea at the time how much that decision would shape the course of my life.

Stepping into the Mission Field

My first missionary trip wasn’t to some far-off country. It was right here in North Carolina. A church in a struggling community needed repairs, and a group of volunteers was heading out to help. I didn’t hesitate to sign up. I knew how to work with my hands—I had been running Honeycutt Transmission for years by that point—and I figured that even if I couldn’t preach a sermon, I could at least fix a roof.

That trip opened my eyes.

I saw families holding onto hope despite hardship, church members who welcomed us with gratitude beyond words, and a community that needed more than just repairs—they needed encouragement, support, and love. It was the first time I truly understood that serving others is one of the purest ways to live out faith.

After that, I said yes to every opportunity that came my way. I traveled to more than 20 states and several countries, helping build homes, churches, and schools. Each trip reminded me of an important truth: faith is not about staying comfortable. It’s about going where you’re needed, even when it’s difficult.

Disaster Strikes, and So Does Faith

While mission work introduced me to serving others, disaster relief became my greatest calling. It’s one thing to build a church in a small town; it’s another to step into a community that has just been torn apart by a hurricane, a tornado, or a flood.

One of the first major relief efforts I worked on was Hurricane Katrina. The devastation in New Orleans was unlike anything I had ever seen. Entire neighborhoods were underwater, families had lost everything, and churches that once stood strong were reduced to rubble.

We arrived with trucks full of supplies, chainsaws for clearing fallen trees, and a determination to help however we could. The work was exhausting. We spent days cleaning up wreckage, fixing homes, and providing food and water to families who had nowhere else to turn. But more than anything, we listened. People needed to tell their stories. They needed to know they weren’t alone.

That trip taught me something important: faith is most visible in moments of crisis.

When disaster hits, people don’t just need supplies and shelter. They need hope. They need someone to remind them that even in the darkest times, they are not forgotten. That became my mission.

The Tornado That Hit Close to Home

Years later, I found myself leading disaster relief efforts again—this time in my own backyard. In April 2011, tornadoes ripped through Wake County, North Carolina. Houses were leveled, roads were blocked by debris, and families were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

As Regional Recovery Coordinator for NC Baptist Men, I knew we had to move fast. Within hours, teams were mobilizing. Chainsaws roared as we cleared trees from homes and driveways. Volunteers rebuilt damaged houses, provided meals, and prayed with families who had lost everything.

I had been on mission trips across the world, but nothing prepares you for seeing your own neighbors in crisis. That experience solidified my belief that faith is not passive—it demands action. When someone is hurting, you step in. When someone is lost, you guide them. And when someone has lost everything, you remind them that they are not alone.

Why I Keep Saying Yes

People often ask me why I keep doing this work. Why do I keep going to disaster zones, rebuilding homes, and answering the call whenever there’s a need? The answer is simple: because I can.

God has given me the ability to help, so I do. It’s not always easy. There are days when I come home bone-tired, covered in dirt and sweat, wondering if I’ve done enough. But then I remember the faces of the people I’ve met—the mother who hugged me after we fixed her roof, the child who smiled when we gave him a new toy after his home was destroyed, the pastor who wept as his church was rebuilt.

Those moments make it all worth it.

Faith That Moves Forward

I don’t know where my next mission trip or relief effort will take me. What I do know is that as long as I have the strength to serve, I will keep going. I will keep saying yes to the calls for help, to the broken homes and broken hearts, because faith in action is what truly matters.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t have to be a preacher to make a difference. You just have to be willing to show up, put your hands to work, and let your faith lead the way.

And so, that’s what I’ll keep doing.

Because when faith is real, it moves. It steps into the storm, picks up the pieces, and helps rebuild—one nail, one prayer, and one life at a time.