We continue to pray for all those that have lost loved ones and have had their lives turned upside down. Lord have mercy!
Baptist Press
By Scott Barkley, posted October 14, 2024 in Disaster Relief, Send Relief
NASHVILLE (BP) — Hurricane Katrina’s destruction in 2005 to New Orleans and surrounding areas prompted a yearslong response by Southern Baptist churches and Disaster Relief personnel, with volunteer recruitment for the latter spiking up to 80,000.
Coy Webb, director for Send Relief Crisis Response, wouldn’t be surprised to see something similar for the damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“We’re at around 40,000 trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers, which has been pretty consistent for most of our history,” he told Baptist Press. “Still, I expect to see a spike in the number of those wanting to help.”
The death toll from Helene has crossed 250, with fatalities recorded in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. CNN reported 23 deaths because of Milton. Both brought winds and widespread flooding, with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper saying at a news conference that entire communities “were wiped off the map.”
Send Relief Crisis Response supports disaster relief teams, which is otherwise undertaken and coordinated through state conventions.
As of Oct. 14, for Helene response alone, Send Relief is reporting 96 professions of faith in Jesus Christ, almost 726,000 meals served, nearly 127,000 volunteer hours and 1,361 job requests completed. More Here
