[1]MOORE, Okla. (BP)–First Baptist Church of Moore, Okla., is hosting disaster recovery groups as large as 300 youth this summer in response to the tornadoes which swept through the state’s midsection May 3.
“Our desire is to genuinely touch the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the survivors of the May 3 tornadoes and to provide a life-changing experience for all involved through personal ministry and worship,” said church member Adrienne McGee, who is helping coordinate the project.
First Baptist already has begun hosting youth groups and will continue to do so through the week of Aug. 6. The only exception will be July 18-24 when the church’s youth will be at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly.
Already scheduled to help in the recovery process are disaster recovery teams from Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and Florida. Volunteers are helping to repair damaged homes and/or helping to clear away debris left behind by the storms.
Housing and meals for the volunteers will be provided at the church, except for lunch, which will be served on the work sites. Arrival time is 4 p.m. on the Sunday of the respective week of service, with departure at 10 a.m. the following Saturday.
The daily schedule includes breakfast from 7:30-8 a.m., depart to work site at 9 a.m., return for showers from 4-5:30 p.m., dinner from 6-7 p.m., worship from 7:30-9 p.m. and fellowship time from 9-10:30 p.m.
All volunteers will be required to have an up-to-date tetanus inoculation and complete a medical release form.
Churches should provide at least one adult sponsor for every five students, with one adult out of three serving as a job site crew chief. “It would be ideal if the crew chief has basic carpentry and painting skills,” McGee said.
While no fees are being charged, McGee added, “We ask, however, that churches send a love offering of between $40-$50 per student with their group to help defray expenses. Remember, all housing and meals are provided and each volunteer will receive a disaster recovery team t-shirt.”
For more information, contact McGee at First Baptist Church, 301 N.E. 27th, Moore, OK 73160; phone (405) 550-2426, fax, (405) 794-5563.