NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Southern Baptist leaders are urging pastors to download a six-minute video highlighting Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts for viewing by their congregations this Sunday.
The video will be available for online viewing and download by Friday at 10 a.m. Central Time at www.lifeway.com/katrina.
The video is a collaborative effort between SBC entities that features:
— An update on disaster relief efforts from Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, which coordinates national disaster relief responses by Southern Baptists.
— Information from SBC Executive Committee President Morris H. Chapman about the committee’s decision to redirect beyond-the-budget Cooperative Program contributions for SBC national entities, received for the 2004-05 fiscal year ending Sept. 30 (an estimated $7 million) and during the first quarter of the new fiscal year. The monies will be used for disaster relief with 50 percent to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to aid faculty and students as well as rebuild the campus, 25 percent to the North American Mission Board to sustain disaster relief operations and 25 percent to the state conventions of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana for relief and recovery that assists SBC ministers and churches.
— A message from James T. Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources, about LifeWay’s $6 million donation to disaster relief, which supplements the existing commitment with state conventions, directors of missions and churches to restore pastors’ libraries, replace curriculum and help New Orleans Seminary students and professors.
— And a challenge from SBC President Bobby Welch to share the Gospel while meeting the physical needs of victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“Hurricane Katrina is the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and Southern Baptists are responding in an unprecedented way,” Draper said. “But there is still much that needs to be done. This webcast will reach people and churches around the world with a message of hope and a challenge to keep praying, giving and going for the sake of God’s Kingdom.”
NAMB also has been producing a webcast updated weekly about Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts at www.namb.net. Ongoing disaster relief information, meanwhile, is posted at www.namb.net/dr.
–30–
