As parts of the country braced this week for more severe storms, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were in action responding to the outbreak of tornadoes in Oklahoma in late April and early May.
Oklahoma Baptist volunteers have been serving in hard-hit areas the state, including Sulphur and Morris. On the morning of May 7, DR volunteers were heading to areas including Barnsdall and Bartlesville to assess damage from devastating tornadoes the evening before.
‘Trained, prepared and equipped’
According to Jason Yarbrough, state director for Disaster Relief, teams serving have “seen significant fruit” while serving.
“We are trained, prepared and equipped to be able to serve people and communities at this great hour of need, all to demonstrate the love of Jesus,” Yarbrough said. “As we have been able to serve in the areas of debris clean-up, chainsaw work and meal preparation, we are also having gospel conversations.”
Yarbrough, who said Oklahoma Baptist DR has averaged 170 volunteers serving daily, noted that there have been the following spiritual decisions/results:
- Three people have made a profession of faith;
- 40 gospel conversations;
- 175 ministry contacts;
- 300 chaplain contacts; and
- 60 Bible distributed.
Providing meals, showers and more
In addition to this, Oklahoma Baptist DR has prepared 8,000 meals, offered 300 showers and done 140 loads of laundry. The ministry has received more than 150 requests for assistance across the state, to which they continue to respond.
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 this and other ongoing relief efforts in neighboring states, your state and beyond.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by staff and originally published by Baptist Messenger.
