THE ORTNER FAMILYJeff & Elrenna Ortner were bi-vocational ministers, serving their community as both school teachers & church pastors for 20+ years. When Jeff was diagnosed with cancer and no longer able to care for the home, the condition deteriorated so severely that Elrenna actually fell through the floor.
The Honorable Judge Cole Word connected Building Compassion with local Meridian businesses. Area churches including First Baptist, First United Methodist, Abundant Life A/G, and United Pentecostal provided food and housing for volunteers. Within three weeks of the project completion, Jeff passed away; but Elrenna was left with a worry-free, renovated home. |