Disaster Relief leaders from the Hawaii Baptist Pacific Convention (HPBC) met with multiple agencies Thursday (Aug. 11) to coordinate their response to wildfires on the islands of Maui and Hawaii (also known as the Big Island). The Lahaina fire in western Maui has destroyed much of that historic town and claimed at least 55 lives.
“Please continue to pray for relief for those devastated by the Maui and Hawaii Island fires, for the safety of first responders, and for wisdom and courage for all those coordinating the response,” HPBC posted on Facebook.
“We put our full confidence in God to heal, restore and give us wisdom and direction on joining Him in His work.”
Thousands of homes lost
Lahaina Baptist Church’s building was destroyed along with thousands of homes and businesses in the area, Craig Webb, the convention’s assistant executive director, said in an email update Aug. 9.
The fire also destroyed the homes and businesses of many Hawaii Baptists, including Richard Murray, bivocational pastor of the Ka’anapali Beach Ministry.
As Disaster Relief directors John and Gay Williams met with local and state leaders, churches on Maui moved quickly to provide resources to those in need.
Kahului Baptist Church hosted a mobile hygiene trailer to offer showers and laundry to people displaced by the fire. The church posted updates on social media as donated items for Lahaina poured in, the supplies filling the pews in the sanctuary.
‘Endless’ opportunities to help
Waiehu Baptist Church provided water and snacks to first responders and evacuees.
Pastor Rocky Komatsu posted on Facebook that the recovery process will be a long one.
“Over the next several months (and sadly years),” he noted, “there will be an endless number of opportunities to help those suffering from this tragedy.”
Ways to help
In an update Thursday, Webb said a primary way to respond right now is through Hawaii Disaster Relief with the HPBC, designating gifts as “Hawaii Fires.” For more information, click here. Or, check with your church, association or state Baptist convention to find out how they are contributing to ongoing relief efforts in Hawaii, your state and beyond. To contact your state convention for more information, click here.
