Peril to Purpose: Rev. Callie Winn Crawford

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and holy grit from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

After Katrina toppled the steeple of Rayne Memorial UMC into its sanctuary, Rev. Callie Winn Crawford wrestled with both the physical and emotional rebuilding. She shares how mental health strategies and intentional purpose-setting guided her through the storm’s aftermath. Her story offers a roadmap for finding clarity and mission after chaos.