Stephen and Della Bergen (pictured above with their son, Josh) are a special couple volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse in Joplin. They told their story to Karina Petersen.

Stephen and Della Bergen did the only thing they could when the powerful tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, a month ago. They got on their knees. The couple lives in Carthage, about 10 minutes from the path of the storm. They attend Forest Park Baptist Church, less than a mile from the path of the destructive storm.

“Please Lord,” they prayed, “help the victims of this terrible tragedy. And show us how to help.”

The next day, they got to work. And they haven’t stopped since.

“I haven’t been able to turn myself away,” said Stephen, who runs a painting company in Carthage. “Someday I have to go back to my job. The Lord’s been really faithful for the last 31 days. An electric bill was due, and someone left cash in the front seat of my car.”

Della was well aware of Samaritan’s Purse through her role as a key volunteer with Operation Christmas Child. She helped set up a meeting with church leadership and SP disaster relief staff.

“God’s the one that did everything,” Della said. “He used me.”

Forest Park became our base camp, and Stephen and Della quickly assumed leadership roles.




Stephen’s day starts early, when he runs the projector and sound for our first volunteer orientation session. He then leads a group into the field, helping storm victims by removing debris, cleaning yards, and looking for precious belongings amid the ruins of destroyed homes.

He started out leading teams of young people.

“Della and I have six kids,” he said. “We were youth pastors for years. I just kind of went back to that.”

Soon, other people who weren’t comfortable working with chainsaws or heavy equipment joined in. Stephen recently had a team of 70.

“I’ve started finding that if you have teams that show up that are here for two or three days, you find those natural leaders and kind of delegate,” he said.




Della began working in the SP command post, taking work orders, recruiting volunteers, making copies, doing whatever was necessary. She now works inside the church lobby, registering volunteers.

“I need to sign in volunteers so they can go out and help those homeowners, survivors,” she said.

Stephen and Della have worked every day since SP rolled into town. Well, almost. Della did miss one, when she was too sick to come in.

There have been challenges.

“Other than just being tired, my body wanting to give out, this is an emotional roller coaster,” Della said.

Yet they keep going.

“It’s just the people,” Della said. “I feel so sorry for them. Heartbroken. We need to be there for them and show them that God loves them and cares about them. They need us. God needs us to be His hands and His feet.

“We love God, therefore we love His people. That’s what we’re called to do.”

Samaritan's Purse , United States , The Need to Serve

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