Advertise on podcast: Mennonite Disaster Service

Lilli and Jakob Rempel served with MDS from 1999 to 2001. A Christian service organization in Germany connected them to MDS. They came to serve. They ended with a new perspective on the way that Christians worship, pray, and serve. MDS writer Susan Kim sits down with the Rempels to hear what those years held. They also share the Bible verses that have carried them through every season of life. And if a young person is thinking about serving with MDS? Their answer is simple: "Go for it, just do it. It was a great experience."

Relationships have been a common theme in conversations on the MDS podcast. Karen Shelly Smucker shares how an MDS project became the starting point for one of the most important relationships in her life. She has served with MDS all across the United States, from California to Louisiana. "There isn't a project where you can't see God at work." Don't miss this conversation between host Gloria Nussbaum and Karen Shelly Smucker.

Paul Unruh started responding to disaster in 1993, on the Mississippi Flood Corridor, sent by his boss at a psychiatric hospital because Mennonite Disaster Service needed a mental health worker on site. Three decades later, he's still telling the stories.

One of the most richly story-filled episodes yet, host Gloria Nussbaum sat down with Herb Hoover to talk about his life of service. Herbert Hoover has been serving with MDS since he was 20 years old, back when a six-month trip to rebuild a tornado-damaged warehouse in the Mississippi Delta had barely any structure to it at all. Decades later, he's still going: through the Blizzard of '78 in Buffalo, Hurricane Hugo, tornadoes in Georgia, wildfires in Alaska, and most recently Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Herbert says his motivation comes down to one thing: "We who can, must." After retirement he kept going, serving three months a year across a dozen sites. What keeps bringing him back isn't the building, it's becoming one with the people he serves and witnessing their hope in the hardest moments. Hear his full story on this episode of the MDS podcast.

Host Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Henry Warkentin, former Chairman of MDS Canada, whose service began at 23 when he helped a neighbor recovering from a back injury. That small act grew into decades of disaster response, including work after Hurricane Katrina, guided by what Henry calls the three phases of life: learning, earning, and returning. Henry shares why MDS projects have felt more like vacations than sacrifice, the homeowners and moments that have stayed with him, his path to chairman, and what still brings him joy: watching hope take shape at a home dedication.

Host Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Gord Friesen from Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a conversation that spans more than seven decades of MDS history.Gord's connection to disaster response goes back to childhood, tagging along with his father after a storm hit Manitoba. Decades later, a flood on the Red River brought him back to MDS.What has he gained? The look on a homeowner's face when they realize the people rebuilding their home aren't there for a paycheck.

After retiring from a career designing power plants, Clete Yoder took one trip to Mississippi with a friend to help rebuild a home -- and never really stopped. Host Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Clete to trace a journey that has taken him from Ohio to Alaska, Puerto Rico, Saipan, American Samoa, and eastern Kentucky, where he once built two bridges in a single week. A civil engineer turned MDS project director, Clete shares what it means to build teams, work alongside community partners, and find a meaningful job for every volunteer who shows up, regardless of experience level. What has he received in return? Happy faces, and the quiet satisfaction of watching volunteers go further than they thought they could.

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 to California, often traveling with his wife, who served as assistant cook while he led construction crews. He talks with Gloria about how MDS has evolved, the growing role of local long-term recovery groups, and how communities give back to those who serve them. "We think of MDS focusing on the survivor's needs," Bill says, "but MDS is also a tremendous service to the volunteers."

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 from the field, discusses the evolution of MDS and its relationship with MCC, and offers a firsthand look at how the organization has grown since its founding. Through his experiences, Abe reminds us of the grassroots spirit of MDS and the importance of going the extra mile for disaster survivors.

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 Director with Mennonite Disaster Service. He talks about the rhythm of life on a project site: morning devotions, the whiteboard with the day's assignments, the work, the meeting place, the dinner table, and what it means to lead volunteers of all skill levels with patience and good humor. He shares the places that stayed with him, the people he never would have met otherwise, and why, once you do it, it tends to pull you back."If it weren't for Mennonite Disaster Service," Don said, "I would never have gotten to see the places that I have seen." Don passed away after this recording was made. We are publishing this episode to honor his memory and his life of service. On behalf of all of us at MDS, Thank you Don.

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 homes, bridges, and relationships that last through the most trying times. Frank Hoover of Ephrata, PA has been showing up for strangers since 1972 — from flood muckouts in Harrisburg to hurricanes in Florida to wildfire recovery in California. He's learned that every disaster is unique, and so is every survivor. Some watch your every move; others hand you the keys. One client in New York told him they "could see the love of God in every stroke of the paintbrush and every swing of the hammer" — a moment that captures what Frank has believed all along: "It is a lot easier to show people God's love than to tell them about it."

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 witnessed both hardship and deep gratitude from homeowners. Esther reflects on the many blessings received through MDS, especially the relationships built and the gift of serving others. Enjoy this episode of the MDS podcast, and don't forget to follow and share the episode.

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 miles traveled or the years logged, it is the way they show up. They listen they sit with survivors they offer compassion to people who have lost everything. In this episode, they share some of the most moving stories from a lifetime of service, including Don's own profound journey as a retired pilot and trucker who found deep meaning in giving back through MDS.We are saddened to share that Don Horst has passed away since this interview was recorded in 2023. We are grateful to have captured his voice and his story, and we are honored to share his memory with reverence.

“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 from MCC, and what it feels like to witness a disaster for the first time. From the overwhelming sight and even the smells of destruction, to the challenges of arriving early in a response, Tom offers honest insight shaped by decades of leadership. The conversation also explores how MDS, and disaster response as a whole, has grown and changed over the years, and the importance of collaboration with other organizations doing meaningful work. Join us as we listen, learn, and give thanks for Tom Smucker’s faithful years of service with MDS.