The Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s response to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene is comprehensive, according to chief operating officer David Melber. “We want to make sure we do not miss any church that needs our help,” he said.
North Carolina Baptist disaster response volunteers are partnering with churches to assist local residents with the long journey of recovery.
Among the damage was Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. The conference center was forced to temporarily close after some of its facilities were left damaged by flooding.
The Haven at Hebron, a 7,000-square-foot maternity home for homeless pregnant minors, is complete and will be able to receive residents as soon as licensing is finalized.
“It has been a catastrophic afternoon,” said Randy Davis, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board executive director. “Our hearts are broken for the people in Cocke, Washington, Unicoi, Greene and other counties that may be affected.”
The damage caused by Hurricane Helene when it tore through southern Georgia early Friday morning was widespread and indiscriminate. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said that the death toll in the state stands at 11.
Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday evening (Sept. 26) as a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 140 mph in Florida before weakening to a tropical storm. On Friday, the storm continued tearing its way through Georgia.
Close to 50 football players on the team at Shorter University made decisions for Christ this year before the season started, and 17 followed through with believer’s baptism.
