Union Island Baptist Church Recovery
Union Island Baptist Church Recovery
On July 1, 2024, Hurricane Beryl devastated Union Island—a small Caribbean island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines—destroying homes, taking lives, and leaving Union Island Baptist Church more than 50% damaged.
Bartow Baptist, which has partnered with the island since 2008, quickly responded. In September 2024, a team traveled to assess the damage and began planning a rebuild.
That effort faced a major setback in March 2025 when team leader Steve Powell tragically passed away. Shortly after, his wife, Jennifer, encouraged the team to continue the mission in his honor. With support from North Georgia Truss and partnering churches from North and South Georgia, the project moved forward.
By December 2025, materials had arrived on the island.
In January 2026, a combined team of 21 volunteers completed what was planned as a 10-day rebuild—in just 5 days.
On January 25, 2026, the church held its first worship service since the hurricane.
What was lost was restored—and lives were changed.
What’s Next
While the church is now fully usable, some finishing work remains. Plans are already underway to return.
Would you be willing to go?
Get Involved
This project is part of the Acts 1:8 Network of Bartow Baptist—helping churches live out the Great Commission locally and globally.
On July 1, 2024, Hurricane Beryl devastated Union Island—a small Caribbean island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines—destroying homes, taking lives, and leaving Union Island Baptist Church more than 50% damaged.
Bartow Baptist, which has partnered with the island since 2008, quickly responded. In September 2024, a team traveled to assess the damage and began planning a rebuild.
That effort faced a major setback in March 2025 when team leader Steve Powell tragically passed away. Shortly after, his wife, Jennifer, encouraged the team to continue the mission in his honor. With support from North Georgia Truss and partnering churches from North and South Georgia, the project moved forward.
By December 2025, materials had arrived on the island.
In January 2026, a combined team of 21 volunteers completed what was planned as a 10-day rebuild—in just 5 days.
On January 25, 2026, the church held its first worship service since the hurricane.
What was lost was restored—and lives were changed.
What’s Next
While the church is now fully usable, some finishing work remains. Plans are already underway to return.
Would you be willing to go?
Get Involved
This project is part of the Acts 1:8 Network of Bartow Baptist—helping churches live out the Great Commission locally and globally.
