A hurricane wasn’t at the top of the list of extreme weather for which to prepare — not for the people living in northeast Tennessee. So, when Hurricane Helene stalled far inland, dumping a month’s worth of rain upon the region in days, the devastation was severe. One year ago, Northeast Tennessee lost 250 industrialized jobs, over 100 homes, 11 lives, five main bridges, one hospital,and innumerable other losses.

Northeast Tennessee is my home. While FEMA was deployed to bring aid to the region, I knew the federal government was not the driving force. But what I didn’t know was how much Christian relief efforts played in bringing help to these communities.

I spoke with Christians involved with recovery efforts from the affected areas of Erwin, Hampton, and Bumpus Cove, Tennessee.

For 25 years, Clarissa Lane has been a native of Erwin. In December 2024, Clarissa told me, “The majority of the help … is coming from Christian organizations.” She also said 200 houses were being rebuilt that were 900 square feet and mortgage-free by Appalachian Service Project. Clarissa also knew of local organizations like Camp ACC, which had opened their sleeping quarters for volunteers. In addition, campers were brought in by Operation Helo. Clarissa’s daughter Hannah volunteered for Loaves and Fishes — a Christian organization, where she helped move supplies that were delivered.

Christian churches stepped up to the plate as well. Clarissa Lane’s husband, Steven, told me in December that Evergreen Freewill Baptist Church would collaborate with Appalachian Service Project by purchasing land for home building.

Christian Trivette, the music director of Cherry Grove Baptist Church, said her church was the primary distribution center for Washington County, Tennessee. This month, she updated me that the center lasted from September 30, 2024 to the end of March 2025. For total donations, Trivette said, “[There were] pages upon pages of donated items … would have to be in the millions.” They had an eight-person management team including herself, and outside volunteers included “at least 10 to 15 people out there. At first, about 45 to 50 who volunteered,” she explained.

Hampton also received disaster relief and recovery from Christians.

Red Stone Elizabethton Church Pastors Jerry Williams and Adam Stine felt convicted to find some way to help with the disaster relief efforts in Carter County, and Williams told me that the Lord led them to Spring Street in Hampton. He also said a team was quickly assembled, and as the work began to overwhelmingly grow, they prayed for a disaster relief coordinator. The Lord answered those prayers, and providentially sent Christian and former Samaritan’s Purse employee Beth Medders.

Williams pointed out that once the team was assembled, Courtney Daily, one of their beginning team members, recommended an “adopt-a-hope initiative.” This meant area churches would adopt a house and stay until the home was rebuilt and provided ongoing care, financial assistance, and volunteerism. Williams served as an administrator of the team, and Daily served as the communications coordinator, putting the needs out every week via social media.

Medders said 12 churches, including Williams’s church, rebuilt 12 out of the 40 homes needed with their program. “All families but one are back in their homes (this home is not a primary residence and the owner is serving in Kentucky),” Medders clarified in an email to me. For the other 28 homes, churches completed various service needs since their homes did not need to be rebuilt, she said.

Moreover, Hampton Community Church was planted by Adam Stine, and Medders told me there has been a spiritual breakthrough for certain locals because they are coming back to church after years of absence.

Beyond every Christian having their “boots on the ground,” they have exemplified a movement greater than charity, government service, or spiritual feelings. From my perspective, I would even say a true revival is happening where people are understanding they can receive an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, or they’re growing stronger in their faith as Christians.

Additionally, because of my investigation, I am personally advocating for FEMA to be less involved with disaster relief. Their work proves the federal government cannot be the biggest aid to a struggling area compared with what the local community can provide.

Initially, the Spring Street Community had hope that federal assistance would come through FEMA, but that help did not meet expectations. Williams said flood insurance was given to the few who had it, yet this also did not cover enough of their needs. He told me, although some did receive help from these entities, the amount paled in comparison to the actual need. This is how God used their Christian disaster relief team to bring in their adopt-a-home program, he said.

With Bumpus Cove, Steven Lane said FEMA was not as involved. “To supplement to Steven’s comment about Bumpus Cove those residents had to become self-sufficient. However, local nonprofits like Samaritan’s Purse were able to helicopter water and food into them until their roadway was rebuilt,” Clarissa Lane said. As for Erwin, she added, “FEMA seemed unprepared to reach people due to the mountainous area. The flood disabled all cell and internet connection, and FEMA was communicating electronically as well as through news outlets. However, the entire area lost connection.”

One of my favorite truths came from Clarissa when she told me how people rely on the church after a crisis compared to their previous concern about the separation between state and church. As I thought about this, the Lord reminded me how Christianity is predestined to prevail throughout history. Whether government assistance is available or not, as believers, we must make sure we never shy away from Christian service. We must be driven forward by Christ and His love to boldly live out the gospel as a united front to the lost. Our time is short, and every day matters for eternity. Northeast Tennessee Christians understood this by quickly acting as Jesus Christ to those in need. They picked up their crosses fast, and we are all called to do the same today.

One year after the Hurricane Helene flood, there is more to be done, including through volunteer work. However, because of people’s resilience, and with the help of the Christian community, incredible progress has been made. While the flood caused much damage and heartbreak, the people involved did not allow the disaster to define their service and Christian convictions.

Annabelle Pechmann grew up in Northeast Tennessee and interned at Family Research Council and The Heritage Foundation.