Testimonials

"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:13

Jasper UMC has spent two one-week missions in and around Biloxi with NLDR in years past. We so much appreciated the hospitality of the Wetzels and how God has set up the accommodations in the church there. There is never a shortage of projects to undertake and we did a variety from skilled to unskilled labors.

The return blessing for helping others cannot be explained. Yes, we remember fondly our times of fun, team fellowship, and sense of accomplishment/blessing in serving the Lord. The beautiful setting on the Gulf just confirms the beauty of God's creation and brings you closer to Him.

Sincerely,
Mama Dex
Jasper U. Methodist Mission Team

When I chose to be obedient to God, His blessings rained down on me, but not just me, those I had an opportunity to serve. The rebuilding of homes were a big part of my trips to NLDR, but it was the relationships that ensued from those trips. I am still in touch with some of those that I call family.

My first mission trip to NLDR was very impactful in my walk with Christ. I not only helped to rebuild a home, but lives as well. The homeowners are now a part of my life, the relationship we built was built on Christ's love. WOW! What a great place to stay to serve the Lord. Comfy, clean, safe, with open areas to commune with others and the food was first rate. Ken & Dawn made us feel welcome from the time we drove in until the time we left. God has certainly blessed this
ministry.

Blessings,
Mike L.

I met Ken in 2012 when he responded to Superstorm Sandy (where I live) in NY. When I learned of his volunteer camp ministry in Mississippi, I was compelled to show my
appreciation by volunteering to serve his community as he did mine.

My first trip to serve was my first missions trip ever. It was much more than I ever could ask for or imagine. My desire was to serve and bless people as God would use me. To my surprise, I was the one that was blessed. I was blessed emotionally and spiritually from the interactions, conversations and relationships started with the Wetzels and other volunteers at the camp that demonstrated the same desire to serve God and help others. I have since served through NLDR multiple times and I look forward to many more in the future.

Steven B.

We had such an awesome experience in Biloxi - we'll never forget it. God is using NLDR in a very powerful and impactful way. You are a blessing and God is blessing so many others through you.
Fred & Sandy S.

This was my first mission trip since I became a born again Christian not long ago. Thanks to my brothers in Christ at our church in Long Island NY, The Lord had provided a way for a
group of us to serve at NLDR.

His timing was perfect, we had committed our time to whatever the Lord would put before us, and He delivered.
Thanks to the sacrifice Ken,D awn and the children make in their lives to serve our Lord and to be an inspiration to others is beyond what words can say. The love and compassion to serve others as Jesus would want us to, filled my heart the entire week.

Thanks to the Wetzel's and there God given mission, I have come
to discover what true servanthood means...till we meet again,
Love You...God Bless. Chuck C.

Beside the clean and comfortable facilities the entire trip was
professionally organized with a personal family atmosphere.

The experience serving with New Life Disaster Relief impacted my relationship with Jesus in a positive way. To be affected that way at 71 years old was pleasantly surprising and encouraging to me.

Michael B.

PS 105:4 "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced."

This verse reminds me when some of my team visited the daughter of the woman whose house exterior we were painting. We also were preparing the inside of a bedroom for the daughter to come home and rest from her illness, possibly spend her last days there. As the team members painted the bedroom, they prayed and sang hymns. We received notice one evening during devotions that her daughter was brought to the hospital and may not make it through the night. Five of us dashed off to pray with Paula and her daughter Rachel. We laid hands on Rachel and prayed over her. We also spent the next few hours listening to Paula tell her stories and provide her support and encouragement. Miraculously, Rachel lived that night - in fact, God gave Rachel about 9 more months. For me, this trip was all about relationships which is more important than the actual work we were doing on Paula's house.

Gina L.

As a leader of High School Students on multiple mission trips to Biloxi, MS, I am very thankful for our partnership with New Life Disaster Relief. Ken and Dawn Wetzel were two of the first people I met upon arriving in Biloxi in 2009 and they opened their home to us, invited us to dinner and have cared for our students and adult leaders on our mission trips every year since then.

Ken and Dawn takes care of all the logistics so I can focus on our students and our ministry. They are two of the kindest and generous people I have ever met. They go above and beyond to make sure we can focus on the work we come to Biloxi to do and they make every effort to make sure our stay is enjoyable. Our church is so thankful for their partnership!

-Gabe F., Mission Trip Leader, Minnesota

It has been my honor and privilege to partner with New Life Disaster Relief, from their begining, in ministering to and caring for Gulf Coast homeowners displaced by hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. Ken and Dawn Wetzel are compssionate servants to their own community and passionate servants to volunteers coming to their camp. Their hospitality is 5 star and the many serving opportunities allows God to change human hearts for HIS service. I have been truly blessed by the Wetzel's example of servant leadership, commitment to God's calling, and their love and respect for the needy in their "neighborhood".

Sharon C.

Share your real life experience while serving at NLDR!

Your testimony will encourage others and help paint a picture as to how serving at and through NLDR can impact many lives. Please try to keep your testimony to 100 words or less.

Send your testimonial to us with the form on the contact page

When I chose to be obedient to God, His blessings rained down on me, but not just me, those I had an opportunity to serve. The rebuilding of homes were a big part of my trips to NLDR, but it was the relationships that ensued from those trips. I am still in touch with some of those that I call family.

My first mission trip to NLDR was very impactful in my walk with Christ. I not only helped to rebuild a home, but lives as well. The homeowners are now a part of my life, the relationship we built was built on Christ's love. WOW! What a great place to stay to serve the Lord. Comfy, clean, safe, with open areas to commune with others and the food was first rate. Ken & Dawn made us feel welcome from the time we drove in until the time we left. God has certainly blessed this
ministry.

Blessings,
Mike L.

What can I say? NLDR was a life changing experience.

Ken Wetzel is an amazing man - a fearless leader, an experienced organizer, and a true angel on earth. His wife Dawn and kids Pauley and Elizabeth are absolutely amazing and a real testament to his walk. He runs a very special place where people gather to help those less fortunate, and worship God through prayer and doing good works.

We often don't know exactly how and where to help, other than sending money to charities, but Ken knows, and makes it easy to help (well not that easy sometimes - we worked our butts off!).

He facilitates and directs the help of volunteers from all over the USA, walking in prayer every step of the way. He has shown me what it's like to walk in prayer 24/7 and it was good. Real good. Will keep you guys in my prayers and hope to come back soon.

Bill C

I had such a blessed week helping Hurricane Matthew victims in South Carolina with you. Your ministry at New Life Disaster Relief based in Biloxi Mississippi is truly amazing.

I thank God for you and your family's dedication to this outreach.

NLDR brings New Life and hope for those it touches.
Blessings to you and all your family.

John C

Serving God is not always easy, though always rewarding. God deserves our very best and I am always in awe of someone like Ken Wetzel and his wife, Dawn, of New Life Disaster Relief who are giving God their best shot by heading up such an ambitious project to serve those in need.

I was privileged to serve with them for only one week, and witnessed their dedication: Faith in action!

Doing the work of the Lord by serving others with “no strings attached” is an mazing and fulfilling experience. Never have I felt, for such a prolonged period of time, the closeness of the Lord.

So, to Ken and Dawn, their children Elizabeth, Paul and Stevie, thank you for growing my faith. I will pray for encouragement, that you will be able to remain strong and steadfast in your service to the Lord, by serving others.

God bless you!

Fred K