Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are assessing damage following a deadly tornado that hit the southeast Missouri town of Glenallen in the early morning hours of April 5. At least five deaths have been confirmed.
Glenallen has a population of 57 people, according to the 2020 census. In addition to assessing needs in the area, feeding and chaplaincy teams are also partnering with nearby First Baptist Church Marble Hill, which has set up a response site and started ministering to people in the area.
Throughout the day on April 5, Glenallen was on lockdown as first responders cleared hazards from the area and searched for survivors, The Pathway reported.
‘Incredible destruction’
The tornado left “incredible destruction” in its wake, Gaylon Moss, director of Missouri’s Disaster Relief, told The Pathway.
“Pray for the people. … It’s devastating not just physically, but also spiritually and emotionally,” he said.
Disaster Relief volunteers plan to continue providing meals and partnering with FBC Marble Hill in the days ahead, according to an email update from the group.
“Assessors and a few local chainsaw teams plan to start [Thursday, April 6],” the email said. “We also have mobilized chaplains to assist survivors with spiritual and emotional care. We plan to give out boxes to those who need to collect their personal effects, provide and/or install tarps, and provide a phone charging station.
“We will recruit volunteers on an as-needed basis until we can get a better handle on the situation. Please continue to pray for the survivors and the volunteers who serve them,” the email added.
Ways to help
For more information on how you can help, check with your church, association or state Baptist convention to find out how they are contributing to ongoing relief efforts in your state and beyond. To contact your state convention to find out how to assist with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts, click here. Or, for more information about Send Relief, click here.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Benjamin Hawkins and originally published by The Pathway, the newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
