Mennonite Disaster Service

Interviewer Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Bill Mast, a volunteer whose connection to disaster response goes back further than MDS itself. Bill was nine years old when a tornado struck Woodward, Oklahoma -- and his Mennonite community responded. Decades later, he's still showing up. A vocational carpenter and former high school carpentry teacher, Bill has served across the U.S. from Minnesota...

In this episode, Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Abe Ens of Winkler, Manitoba, whose connection to Mennonite Disaster Service stretches back to its earliest years. Abe shares how he first became involved in disaster response during the Red River floods and reflects on decades of service in leadership roles across Manitoba, Canada, and the binational MDS board. Along the way, he recounts stories fro...

It started with a free trip to Alaska through a Mennonite church. What followed was 13 years, 44 project sites, and a life of service that took Don Mintmier from the coast of American Samoa to the mountains of Washington State, from High River, Canada to Marianna, Florida, and dozens of communities in between. In this conversation with host Gloria Nussbaum, Don reflects on his years as a Project D...

When interviewer Gloria Nussbaum asked Frank Hoover what he received from his decades of service with Mennonite Disaster Service, his answer was immediate: "Way more than I put in." Frank reminds us that even in the tragic aftermath of disaster, God is quietly at work — building relationships that draw us closer together and closer to Him. We cannot prevent the storms from coming, but we can build...

Esther McCoy of Manheim, Pennsylvania, after learning about Mennonite Disaster Service 30 years ago, went on to serve alongside her husband Bill for 20 years, from 1995 to 2015. With skills in construction and nursing, they became long-time project directors, helping create spaces where everyone could serve and grow. The McCoy's service took them across the country and beyond, where they witne...

Don and Rachel Horst of Newton, Kansas have been showing up for people in their worst moments for nearly five decades. First responding to the Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado in 1976, the Horsts have since served in some of the most far-reaching corners of MDS response work, from California and Puerto Rico to American Samoa and Saipan. But what makes Don and Rachel stand out is not just the...

“MDS changes lives.” On February 10, 2023 in Lancaster, PA Gloria Nussbaum met with Sabourin of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Denis talks about his faith journey, how he came to know MDS, and how his first trip led to him organizing over 17 MDS service trips!

On November 18, 2024, Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Tom Smucker of Sterling, Ohio, former Executive Director of Mennonite Disaster Service, to reflect on a lifetime of responding to disaster. Tom shares how he first became involved with MDS in 1992 following Hurricane Andrew, drawing from his background in construction and farming. He recounts the early days of MDS, its history and separation fro...

Meet Steve and Connie Caucci from Duette, Florida. Listen to them recall hurricane Ian, their experience in the storm, and how they came in contact with MDS.“I never thought that I was going to be one of those in need” said Connie Caucci, reflecting on their hurricane encounter. Be sure to like and share this episode, and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to hear their full story.

Gloria Nussbaum interviews Jerry Grosh, Interim Director of Operations with MDS. Jerry shares how he was introduced to MDS, his first experience serving in Alabama after Hurricane Katrina, how disaster response locations are chosen, adversity faced on projects, and the nature of facing disasters as a faith based organization. Please follow and share this podcast to see future episodes. Thank you f...