Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief volunteers have prepared more than 1,000 meals, while assessors, chaplains, incident management team members, and clean-up and recovery workers are continuing their efforts.
Southern Baptists continue to respond to devastating wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma. “People have lost everything they own. They’re looking for help. But they’re also looking for hope for the days ahead,” a volunteer in Texas said.
For most congregations and associations, a disaster response is rooted in a reactive, compassionate response to needs. Whether from personal connections, social media or other media, hearts are moved to “do something.”
More than 100 people are confirmed dead and hundreds more are missing. Meanwhile Southern Baptist partners are providing food and ready to provide further assistance as needed.
On her knees in the midst of the dirt and debris left behind in her flooded home, Saphina Khalfan cried out to God for help.
Within a minute, she heard voices outside. They were Texas Baptist Men volunteers coming to help.
Within just a few days, California has been pummeled twice by extreme weather events called atmospheric rivers.
Texas Baptist Men is responding to a water crisis in an Arkansas town of about 9,500 people on the banks of the Mississippi River.
With snow and ice and single digit temperatures hitting the country in recent days, some areas in Tennessee have experienced water shortages — and Disaster Relief volunteers in the state are responding.
“God reminds us that He cares even for the least of these,” a volunteer said. “These are folks without a home. Shame on us if we ignore them, especially in a time of need. This is an excellent time to share the Lord in tough conditions.”
For Jennifer Smith, an Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer from Jacksonville, Illinois, the two weeks she served in Guam in September were hard, hopeful and a regular part of her missions commitment.
