Disaster Relief Update – Friday, December 19, 2008
December 21, 2008 by David_p
Filed under Disaster Relief, Ministries, Ministry Featured
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, meaning God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14)
This Christmas season as we celebrate the greatest gift ever given we also celebrate the thousands of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers who gave their time, energy and talents to hundreds of thousands of people who suffered the devastating effects of fire, ice, wind and rain this year. For many caught up in the grief of their losses our Disaster Relied volunteers were a visible reminder that God is “with us” in times of trial.
As this year draws to a close winter storms are pummeling many parts of the country and in New England thousands are still without power. Recovery units have responded in several areas to local needs and our state directors continue to monitor situations as they unfold. At this time there are no multi-state responses underway.
Ongoing Opportunities to Serve
Churches in need of assistance in the wake of Ike and Gustav can be identified through the following websites:
- Louisiana Baptist Convention - www.lbc.org/CrisisResponse/Default.aspx?id=6050
- Baptist General Convention of Texas Church2Church Ministry – www.bgct.org/texasbaptists/Page.aspx?pid=4187
- Southern Baptists of Texas Adopt-a-Church Ministry – www.sbtexas.com/minister_church_relations/AdoptaChurch.htm
- Rebuild efforts continue in New Orleans through Operation Noah Rebuild – www.operationnoah.net
BMEN Online - January 2009 will see the debut of a new resource many DR Update readers will find of interest. An online men’s mission resource delivered weekly. What you will find here, on a weekly basis, are resources to help Baptist Men engage in their part of God’s mission with urgency. To register for this new resource visit BMEN Online (www.bmen.net/online)
2008 National DR Response Statistics Final Statistics for 2008 will not be available until state conventions report in-state activities.
| Volunteer Days | 62,803 |
| Meals Prepared | 5,455,305 |
| Mudout Jobs | 868 |
| Chainsaw Jobs | 5,545 |
| Repair Jobs | 9 |
| Roofing Jobs | 66 |
| Children | 641 |
| Showers | 49,969 |
| Laundry Loads | 16,119 |
| Water (Gallons) | 29,295 |
| Messages | 1,327 |
| Chaplaincy Contacts | 5,253 |
| Professions of Faith | 248 |
| Gospel Presentations | 2,182 |
| Other Decisions | 33 |
| Ministry Contacts | 22,455 |
National Disaster Relief Leadership
- Terry Henderson, National Disaster Relief Director
- Karl Ragan, Disaster Operation Center Manager
To contact the Disaster Operations Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net