FIRST-PERSON: Five words for those wanting to help with relief
ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP)--Five important words for those who want to help with the Louisiana disaster response:
Welch: SBC relief different because it’s given in Jesus’ name
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| Praying together SBC President Bobby Welch, right, and Executive Committee President Morris H. Chapman, center, pray with Doug Stringer, founder and president of Somebody Cares America, a Houston-based ministry that teamed with First Baptist Church of Kirbyville, Texas to help meet needs of Hurricane Rita victims. Photo by Jerry Pierce |
The theme was familiar among the Baptist “yellow shirt” volunteers who’ve been around Welch since hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast states: Baptists giving out bottled water, sandwiches and beanie weenies are giving what Welch calls "holy gifts" because they are given in Jesus’ name.
Welch joined Executive Committee President Morris H. Chapman and three members of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention staff in touring Hurricane Rita-ravaged Southeast Texas Sept. 30.
‘Samuel’s Challenge’ helps kids assist in disaster relief
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--You could see it in his eyes. A combination of concern and prayerful consideration had motivated the young boy to action.
Prof aids firefighters at New Orleans front lines
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--After Hurricane Katrina struck, teams of firefighters rushed to New Orleans from as far away as Illinois and New York City and moved into temporary camps in Baton Rouge. Hardened veterans and wide-eyed rookies alike went about the essential but morbid task of removing dead bodies, cleaning up rotting garbage and otherwise doing the dirty work of restoring the city. It was not easy: horrible sights and fetid smells were an everyday occurrence.
Scope of opportunity expands for port ministry after Katrina
NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Global Maritime Ministries, the Southern Baptist ministry to the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana, has found that the world is truly at their doorstep as thousands of international seamen enter their ports each year.
FIRST-PERSON: Making evangelism good news again
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--The hurricanes keep coming. And they always will until Jesus comes. This is the fallen world we live in. But that has always been an opportunity for God’s people.
New Orleans pastors continue to share burdens & challenges
NEW ORLEANS (BP)--A call to faithfulness was sounded as 40 pastors and church staff members in the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans met Sept. 28.
Volunteers tackle damaged trees & roofs in N.O. community
NEW ORLEANS (BP)--The lack of portable showers and cooking facilities could not deter the efforts of a chain saw crew from Florida’s Orange Blossom Baptist Association.
Small church makes big impact for hurricane relief needs
ATLANTA (BP)--Tumbling Creek Baptist Church may not be the largest church in the Southern Baptist Convention, but its members are making an impact on those affected by Hurricane Katrina. So far, the rural Tennessee church, which averages 200 in worship, has given more than $20,000 to recovery efforts.
Baptist relief not interested in gov. funds, Reccord says
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| Different than a job On ‘Fox and Friends,’ Robert E. Reccord described Southern Baptist Disaster Relief as “a lifestyle and calling” that needs no government funding. |
In a front-page story in The Washington Post Sept. 27, Reccord said, “Volunteer labor is just that: volunteer. We would never ask for the government to pay for it.”
Reccord’s comments were included in a story concerning the announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that it will reimburse churches and other religious organizations that have provided shelter, food and supplies to survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
