Local survivors partner with MBC Disaster Relief in Louisiana DERIDDER, La. – During most disasters, it’s American Red Cross volunteers that distribute the thousands of hot meals cooked and packaged by Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers. In hurricane-battered DeRidder, it was a hurricane survivor named Mitch, along with other local residents. DeRidder is a city of about 10,000 in western Louisiana. When Hurricane Laura hit, she hit the city hard. After making landfall Aug. 26, … [Read more...]
Mo. DR chainsaw recovery teams bring relief after Iowa windstorm
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A massive windstorm, also known as a “derecho,” swept across central and eastern Iowa, Aug. 10, causing massive destruction in Cedar Rapids. A derecho is a “straight wind” weather incident, in this case with 100-140 MPH winds recorded. It flattened buildings and trees all across the city of Cedar Rapids, population 133,562. Local television station KCRG reported there were 50 persons injured in the storm, but no fatalities. MBC Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers … [Read more...]
Hurricane Laura’s toll includes 140 Louisiana Baptist churches
EDITOR'S NOTE: This report was written by John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist director of communications, and was first published by the Louisiana Baptist Message. ALEXANDRIA, La. (Louisiana Baptist Message) — A little more than a week after slamming the Louisiana coast, it is obvious Hurricane Laura’s 140 miles per hour, Category 4, winds considered nothing sacred, including houses of worship. Numerous reports have shed light on the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans left without power … [Read more...]
Chocolate factory now making medical face shields
MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas (BP) – A chocolate factory owned by a couple of Southern Baptists is among the factories that have converted to make medical face shields to supply hospitals with personal protective equipment needed in the COVID-19 fight. Michael and Angie Moss own Sweet Shop USA, the largest handmade chocolate manufacturer in the country, in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The company was founded in Fort Worth nearly 50 years ago before relocating to northeast Texas, and they supply … [Read more...]
Mo. DR ready to respond to deadly Tenn. tornadoes
NASHVILLE – Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief leaders are in hurry up and wait mode, but are ready to bring help, hope and healing to those affected by deadly Tennessee tornadoes March 3. Gaylon Moss, director of Disaster Relief for the Missouri Baptist Convention, said people can donate to Disaster Relief efforts, get trained for future responses and stay abreast of events at www.mobaptist.org/dr/. “Zombie land” is how a survivor described the landscape after tornadoes killed at least 24 … [Read more...]
Planning for disruption – DR’s Gaylon Moss encourages precaution, not panic
EDITOR’S NOTE: Gaylon Moss serves with the Missouri Baptist Convention as director of Missouri Disaster Relief. JEFFERSON CITY – With all of the recent coronavirus coverage, we thought it sensible to encourage Missouri Baptists to prepare. Wisdom teaches, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions” (Prov. 22:3, NLT). Based on this posture of readiness and wisdom, it is appropriate for churches to consider the possibilities of disruption associated with a coronavirus outbreak. … [Read more...]
An anniversary to remember: Mo. Disaster Relief team aids Texas couple on special day
ORANGE, Texas – The traditional gift for a first anniversary is paper. Tenth is tin. By 50, a couple is up to gold and at 60, the supposed gift is diamond. And for one Texas couple, their 62nd wedding anniversary “gift” was 9 inches of water in their home. James and Jackie’s home was flooded last month by Tropical Storm Imelda, casting a damp cloud over what should have been nothing but a joyous celebration of their 62 years of marriage. Fortunately, God had another gift planned for the … [Read more...]
MSSU students bring relief, hope to hurricane hit Panama City
PANAMA CITY, Fla. – For most college students, spring break provides a welcome rest. But for 16 Missouri Southern State University students with the school’s Baptist Student Union, spring break brought an opportunity to provide relief and hope to those ravaged last year by Hurricane Michael. The team, which also consisted of three adult chaperones, drove from Joplin to Panama City, Fla., where the city and surrounding area remain largely in ruins. MSSU students joined forces with students … [Read more...]
MBC Disaster Relief volunteers respond to Hurricane Florence
WALLACE, N.C. – It hasn’t necessarily dominated the national headlines, but the scope of Hurricane Florence’s impact on the east coast – North Carolina, in particular – has been massive. It may have been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, but the U.S. Geological Survey says the storm still dumped more than 18 trillion – yes, trillion with a T – gallons of water. Fortunately, the flooding rivers and creeks were also met with a flood of aid, including dozens of Missouri Baptist Disaster … [Read more...]
Ham radio message leads to salvation after tornado
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – Ham radio can be the ultimate communication tool during a disaster, and Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief communication volunteers are trained to set up networks and relay messages when all other forms of connection are down. But after a tornado in Iowa, ham radio provided a different type of connection for one man who lost his garage and roof. Jerry Palmer, a communications “Blue Hat” (team leader) from Lawson, was working at the Incident Command Center as Missourians … [Read more...]
NAMB’s SEND Relief aims to bring compassion, aid DR
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Seeking to fill gaps as Southern Baptists serve disaster survivors and other people in need, the North American Mission Board two years ago began Send Relief. The ministry identifies five main areas of need: poverty, refugees and internationals, foster care and adoption, human trafficking and disaster response. “While Send Relief aims to send hope by meeting material needs, the primary reason Send Relief exists is to send the eternal hope of the gospel through compassion … [Read more...]
Mo. Baptists respond to Conn. tornadoes
SOUTHBURY, Conn. – When tornadoes ripped through Connecticut this May, they left chaos in their wake. Thousands of homeowners were left with downed trees, debris and nowhere to turn for help. In the midst of such devastation, teams of volunteers from across the country stepped up to assist in recovery. One of those teams was a group of Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief’s collegiate interns. Armed with a chainsaw, a wood chipper and the Word of God, DR volunteers provide hope, healing and a … [Read more...]
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