This morning (Sept. 27), students across the country gathered a little earlier than usual at their schools for the 33rd annual See You at the Pole student-led prayer event.
Like most of the surrounding area, First Baptist Church Madison, Florida, was without electricity for a few days in the wake of Hurricane Idalia, but it didn’t stop its members from preparing and serving hundreds of meals each day.
“Southern Baptists have been so good to us,” said Robin Hoffman, a Florida Baptist who is among those helping her community recover from Hurricane Idalia. “They have made it bearable because we know help is on the way. We’re not alone.”
Cleanup is underway in south Georgia after a pummeling blow by Hurricane Idalia knocked trees onto homes and downed powerlines, leaving thousands without electricity in the summer heat.
“Our faith is strong. Our members are out in the community helping their neighbors with clean up,” said Christopher Arnold, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Perry, Florida.
“We have been communicating with churches in Perry, Cross City, Live Oak and others where public feeding and cleanup efforts will be taking place,” said David Coggins, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief director.
The investigation revealed no criminal activity on the part of any FBC staff person but instead concluded that the crime was the result of sophisticated cybertargeting by, at this point, unknown perpetrators.
David Coggins, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief director, said volunteers are “staged and ready” to go when needed to help those impacted by Hurricane Idalia.
“One thing that people don’t fully understand is the demand on a pastor’s time, resources and energy,” Jeff Yant, executive director of Lake Yale.
Stephen Rummage, president of the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference, has announced the theme and officers for next year’s event, June 9–10 in Indianapolis.
