we're committed to serving the Delta
See Our Impact
stories of teams + homeowners
a note from our Executive Director
by Reverend Veronica Pritchard
I remember the first time I stepped into the 18,000 sq ft facilities at Sunflower UMC, it was horrible, the ceilings were falling in, the floor tile was missing, the walls were cracked and covered with mildew and the restrooms were downright scary. But there was a feeling of peace, an air of mystery, yet clarity and there was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was present.
And the congregation that gathered that morning, all 4 of them, were there for one reason, not because it was the right thing to do, but because they came to worship a God that had blessed them beyond belief. After much prayer to seek and do God’s will, this small dying church became a new creation in Christ through the ministries of Delta Grace.
Delta Grace is a year-round mission hub that provides beds, showers, kitchen facilities, and mission opportunities for mission teams. Teams work on the homes of many who have lost hope and do not know what tomorrow brings. Our purpose is to match mission teams with mission work within a thirty-mile radius of the hub. Our prayer is that the volunteers will transform the lives of those they serve and in turn have their lives transformed.
In one year, by living out the Power of We, these facilities have been renovated and have housed teams from Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. Through the love of Christ, these teams have repaired flooring and windows, replaced roofing and toilets, revamped kitchen and built wheelchair ramps, for those unable to do it themselves. They have also shared in worship and fellowship with those they served.
I Peter 4:10
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
Sunflower United Methodist Church has been excellent stewards of God’s grace, as they have stepped up in faith – God has multiplied His Grace.
Hear clearly this story so that you can repeat it!
- By faith we applied for a $5,000 grant
- By grace we received $15,000
- By faith we said let’s do this
- By grace God sent not one but 2 mission teams to get us started.
- By faith I met with David Newton, MS conference UMVIM coordinator, to seek guidance
- By grace we were approved as a NATIONAL UMVIM mission site
- By faith I met with a friend of a friend to get ideas about a mission hub
- By grace God blessed us with a partnership with the Epworth Project from Slidell, LA put in over 1,500 working hours on site
- By faith we went to friends and neighbors asking for support
- By grace we received almost $70,000, internet access, 3 brand new computers, paint, dumpster rental, and 40 bunk beds
- By faith more came to worship at Sunflower
- By grace they have provided food, workers, a fish fry fundraiser, toilets, A/C units, trash removal, financial donations, kitchen equipment, guidance and lots and lots of love and support
- By faith we said “Here I Am Lord”
- By Grace God has blessed through living out the Power of We
Team + Homeowner Testimonies
Davis UMC, California
August 2, 2015
Rev. Pritchard – You’re appreciated more than you know. Hope all the good you do comes back to you.
From Davis UMC, California:
What an inspiration you are to all of us! A preacher who works — and raises gators! Thank you for an incredible week. – Kelly
Thanks for hosting us – Colin
Thank you so much for organizing everything. I had a lot of fun helping those in need. – Sophia
Thank you for your kindness and for helping when I needed help. I really enjoyed it here! – John
Thank you for your great witness! Rest, Renew, Replenish! In God’s love, Rita
Thanks for leading us well. – Mitch
You reminded me that I can do hard work. Thank you for showing me how to use a nail gun – your ‘can do’ attitude inspired me daily. – Everet
Thank you. – Presley
Thank you for believing in us girls! I appreciate all the help you gave us. – Laura
You are incredibly kind and patient which I know can’t be easy all the time. You’re an inspiration. – Caroline
Thank you for hosting us. You are very inspirational – Chuck
Discovery Class, Georgetown, Texas
May, 2016
Walking into the structure, it was hard to fathom that someone once called the place their home. The ceiling had collapsed and insulation sprinkled down like snowflakes. There were no walls making it easy to see the piles of furniture, dishes, and other miscellaneous household items stacked up in various rooms of the house – evidence of the few items that Ms. Fountain, the homeowner, managed to save during the recent floods. The smell of mold and mildew was overwhelming. As if to add salt to the wound, Ms. Fountain explained that someone broke into her home while the house was full of water and stole her TV’s and her air conditioner. Yet she still managed to smile.
This scenario repeated itself throughout the week the Discovery Class spent in the Mississippi delta working with Delta Grace ministries on various home repair projects in the area. The homeowners were down on their luck and were often dealing with loved ones with health issues or health issues themselves. Home repair and upkeep had taken a back seat to the other pressing problems life had thrown their way. The goal of the trip was to make repairs so these homes were safe for the residents, and in the case of the flood victim, livable again. The jobs assigned to the class ranged from something as simple as replacing an outdoor light fixture and replacing drywall to more complex and difficult jobs such as scraping up flooring, roof repair and replacing kitchen cabinets.
Equally if not more important than home repair was making a connection with the homeowners. Whether it was taking a stroll down the block with Ms. Jackson, playing with the grandkids while they waited for the bus or chatting while planting a new bed of colorful flowers, many of the homeowners appreciated the company and visits as much as the work being done on their homes. One of the most moving examples of a connection came after one team had worked an entire day to demo a dilapidated kitchen. The team finally reached a point where they could bring in new cabinets for installation. One of the residents of the home who was suffering from a debilitating illness and had been sitting on the couch quietly during the entire process, suddenly started clapping and burst into a joyous song of “Thank you, Jesus; thank you, Jesus; thank you, Jesus!” as the team walked past him with the new cabinets. It brought a smile to everyone’s faces and tears to their eyes.
By the end of the week, the Discovery Class had worked on 7 homes as well as made repairs around the Delta Grace facilities. Delta Grace held a closing worship service and invited all the homeowners to attend where they were presented with Bibles signed by the Discovery Class. A brief PowerPoint played highlighting all the work accomplished during the week and a wonderful sermon was provided by Rev. Veronica Pritchard. Homeowners and team members were also given a chance to speak about their interaction during the week. Afterwards everyone in attendance participated in the Eucharist.
The next morning the team members, exhausted and sore, packed up and made the long drive back to Texas, vowing to return to work with Delta Grace again. The beauty of the delta and its people made an indelible mark on the hearts of the class members. It’s impossible to discern who felt more blessed by the experience – the homeowner or the Discovery Class.
Sylvia Williams
April 6, 2015
Dear Delta Grace,
My Special thanks to Mrs. Veronica Pritchard and your team for the wonderful job you did on my house. Thank you for the time and effort the team put in were certainly worthwhile.
We are proud to have you as part of the team and look forward to your future contributions. I really appreciated the time the team spent with me. I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable time than I had at the dinners. I especially enjoyed myself conversations with the team.
Thanks again for your warm hospitality. I don’t have much but I am donating $25.00 to help another family that need help.
Once again thank-you very much.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Williams
Ann Hendon
June 2015
Veronica,
Thank you for all you and your special team have done. It is with deep appreciation that I say “thank you”.
I think of you every day and the kindness you have shown to me and are showing to so many. May God always bless you in a special way.
Warmly,
Ann Hendon
Hernando UMC
July 29, 2015
Thank You, Mrs. Veronica and Gracie 
From Hernando UMC: Thank you for giving us the opportunity to come and serve!!
Thank you for this amazing place. Ya’ll are great people. – Mollie
This was such a great opportunity! -Kristen
Thank you for blessing us with a place to serve. – Bre
Thank you for giving us this great time to come & teach kids about God!- McKinley
We had a great time. – Emily
Thank you for giving us a place to stay and a allowing us to make racket past bedtime. – Dawson
David Bennett
August 11, 2014
On behalf of Barry and myself, we would gratefully like to thank each and everyone involved with the rehab of our house and Delta Grace. From the volunteers that gave their time and hard work; all the donations that everyone gave to buy the materials, and to Rev. Pritchard for bringing everyone together. We are especially thankful for The Lord our God and his teachings that bring his children together and do his work.
Although, thank you doesn’t seem to suffice enough a word to describe our gratitude, I’m sure anyone that had seen the damage to our home understands our appreciation and what the work means to us. Other than the fact that the roof was on the verge of falling in, a greater concern was probably the discovery of a mold problem. With Barry’s asthma and my condition, I’m sure continued exposure would have resulted in further health problems for the both of us.
We, like all the others that Delta Grace has helped, never would have been able to afford all the repairs that were done to our home. And I believe I speak for everyone else that you all have helped when again I say thank you and may God bless you all.
Sincerely,
David Bennett
Virginia Madison
September 25, 2014
Hello Rev. Veronica and Delta Grace Family,
Thank you so much for your kindness. God bless you, now and always.
“Love Forever,”
Virginia Madison
P.S. Hope to see you all soon.
Nese Harrigan
December 31, 2014
Dear Ones,
Thank GOD for people like you. For the hope you give people, when all their hope is gone!
I pray that the year 2015 is going to be our YEAR OF JUBILEE that GOD promises! Keep honoring GOD with the great work that you do. I promise to keep praying for you daily.
In HIS LOVE,
Nese Harrigan
