Friday, September 5, 2025
If you’ve been around CedarCreek for a while, you’ve
probably heard of ServeDay and our Second Saturday Serve teams. If not, these
days are set aside for volunteers who answer Jesus’ call to transform lives
through acts of service — whether within CedarCreek through the DreamTeam, in
our local community with outreach projects, or globally on mission trips. But
the truth is, CedarCreek has been serving with “boots on the ground” long
before these monthly and annual projects began. Reaching beyond our walls to
show the world the love of Jesus has always been a central part of the heart of
our mission.
One powerful example of this came in 2005, when Hurricane
Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The storm caused
catastrophic flooding and destruction. Over 80% of New Orleans was submerged,
and coastal communities in Mississippi and Alabama were nearly wiped out.
An Immediate Response
In the weeks that followed, CedarCreek rallied to provide
extensive relief efforts. The church organized supply drives, loaded five
semi-trucks with food, clothing, and essentials, and partnered with churches in
the hardest-hit regions. The story even made the news as people from northwest
Ohio came together to help.
In September 2005, CedarCreek sent its first mission team to
Covington, Louisiana, where volunteers unloaded trucks, distributed supplies,
cleared debris, and began helping families rebuild. Ed McCauley, Former Executive
Pastor of Operations at CedarCreek, described the trip this way:
“What stands out isn’t the fatigue or the smothering
heat—it was a remarkable experience to come together to help others who were
struggling. My heart changed in a way. I came back with a clear resolve to do
whatever I can, wherever God wants me to go.” (as quoted in The Toledo
Blade)
A Breakthrough Moment
Senior Pastor Lee Powell later described the church’s
Katrina response in an article in Outreach Magazine as a “breakthrough
moment” for CedarCreek. It showed that the church wasn’t just capable of
serving its local community, but was ready to mobilize quickly and effectively
in response to a global crisis.
Partnerships with churches like Faith Bible Church in Covington, Louisiana, led
by Pastor Alfred Young, allowed CedarCreek to get aid directly to people in
need. What began as an emergency response turned into a long-term
relationship—proof that when God brings people together in times of crisis,
lasting connections are made.
The Lasting Impact
The Katrina relief efforts didn’t just change lives in the
Gulf Coast. They changed lives here at CedarCreek, too. Volunteers came home
with fresh perspective and a renewed sense of calling. Many described it as a
turning point in how they viewed service, mission work, and even their personal
faith. (Toledo Blade)
That spirit continues today in every ServeDay, every Second
Saturday Serve, every mission trip, and every act of kindness offered in Jesus’
name. The heart of CedarCreek is still the same: to introduce people to Jesus
and the life-changing adventure with Him—not just inside our walls, but
wherever God calls us to go.
Because what we’ve been a part of is not normal. And what we
ARE a part of is not over.
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Inspired by this story? Get involved!
Explore Outreach Groups here,
check out upcoming Mission Trips here,
or join a Second Saturday Serve project at your campus. The next Serve date is
September 13—learn more here.
Contributions to this Flashback Friday article were made
by Lauri White and Casey Wagner, longtime attendees and former staff members
whose love for CedarCreek and commitment to Jesus have made a lasting impact.
Sources:
Weber, Ann. "Touched by Katrina: Local volunteers gain
fresh perspective after aiding hurricane victims." The Blade,
November 24, 2005. Read the full article here.
Powell, Lee. "Lee Powell: CedarCreek Church,
Perrysburg, Ohio." Outreach Magazine, November 7, 2011. Read the full interview here.
"Where Did Hurricane Katrina Hit?" Google
Search. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.google.com/search?q=where+did+hurricane+katrina+hit