Jimmy and Ruth Mangrum have been tirelessly and passionately leading an effort through their Miracles of Faith Ministries over many months to gather essentials for the people of Haiti. Although the McCool residents have assisted the Haitian people for a number of years, recent events and natural disasters have intensified the need for their generosity and their influence.
Located in the Caribbean with a population of over 11 million, Haiti is known as one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world. The nation suffers from political instability, gang violence, and a severe food shortage—all bringing turbulent unrest. Of late, Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in early July, the death toll from a massive August earthquake rises daily, and cleanup efforts from damaging Tropical Storm Grace remain underway.
“A 40-foot container full of essentials and supplies for the people will arrive in Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince by way of Miami, Florida once transport is complete,” said Jimmy Mangrum, a Winston County native who has devoted his life as a minister and missionary.
“It has not been easy to amass these items since we spearheaded this ourselves. However many individuals, churches, and businesses have been involved in physically and financially making this happen, and we are proud we can dispatch this level of support,” he said.
The container is stocked with 2,000 pounds of beans, 3,000 pounds of rice, and 100 one-gallon containers of cooking oil. Additionally, it carries Bibles, church pews and folding chairs; an accordion, a violin, and guitars for the teaching of music; office furniture, beds, and a generator. Clothing, adult diapers, bed pads, hundreds of pairs of eyeglasses, and children’s shoes and toys are also packed. An array of manual hand tools, sewing machines and thread, and many more items have become part of the huge, varied collection awaiting transport.
The contents are destined for three senior pastors in Haiti that each operate two to four churches and operate one to two Christian schools housed within their facilities and grounds, all supported in part by the Mangrums’ Miracles of Faith Ministries. Once distribution is complete, the 40-foot container will remain in Haiti, where it will house additional missions operations.
The container’s delivery will advance the Mangrums’ twofold vision supported by a growing number of persons and organizations in the United States and overseas. They minister to and help persons in Haiti survive in the short term and seek to teach them self-reliance in the long term through the establishment of a training center for both missions and vocational education.
Since 1967, the Mangrums have shared their life and their empathy for helping other people. Early in their marriage, they became missionaries and later founded Miracles of Faith Ministries, a nondenominational, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in their local area.
They have personally ministered in a number of places in the United States and in countries including Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines, and Haiti, serving in churches, schools, and orphanages. Over time, they have accumulated an extensive list of colleagues and friends who are willing to share their faith-based message of Christianity and provide avenues and resources to help strengthen their ministry and its endeavors.
“Our Miracles of Faith Ministries teaches and communicates spiritual lessons, and we promote academic education, provide vocational training, and address dire hunger, among our initiatives,” said Mangrum.
As in other poverty-stricken countries that lack modernization, there is a great need to educate the Haitian people and arm them with workforce skills, he said.
“The people need sewing machines and basic hand tools to learn simple vocations that can provide them even meager wages, also easily repairable or good condition bicycles are needed—not as toys, but as the mode of transportation for impoverished families,” Mangrum said.
The lifetime impact of the Mangrums has extended over many miles and into the hearts of thousands of individuals in need of ministry and humanitarian assistance.
“Christian missions is our life’s work, and we’ll continue to bless others and be blessed for as long as we are able,” said Ruth Mangrum, a Mississippi native of Tunica.
A mother of four, she wholeheartedly embraces the Haitian children from which the next generation will rise.
“I love the children and would personally raise the ones from any orphanage if possible. They are eager to learn, and we can lead them to Christianity and help them learn valuable skills they can teach their generation and pass to future generations,” she said. “We just need the resources and the volunteers to accomplish this.”
Contributions are accepted year-round by Miracles of Faith Ministries. To follow the Mangrums’ ministry, visit www.miraclesoffaith.org or telephone (662) 773-2385 to support the Haitian or other ministry projects.
