Six months post-Hurricane Helene, Southern Baptists focus on rebuilding efforts after providing extensive disaster relief. Following the storm’s devastation, they prepared over 1 million meals and completed thousands of recovery jobs. Notable initiatives like Arise and Build are underway, with significant involvement from local churches and volunteers aiming to restore communities and rekindle faith among survivors.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck on September 26, Southern Baptists have tirelessly worked to provide relief to those affected. The storm tragically resulted in over 230 fatalities and caused approximately $200 billion in damages, marking it as the most expensive hurricane recorded in the United States. With the six-month anniversary of Helene approaching, the focus has shifted from immediate relief to ongoing rebuilding efforts in the impacted communities.
Joshua Benton, the vice president for national ministry at Send Relief, emphasized the extensive reach of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) teams. Over several weeks, SBDR prepared more than 1 million meals and completed over 7,800 recovery jobs, while also reporting approximately 244 declarations of faith. This outreach extended across six states, including Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, highlighting the strength of the SBDR network.
The rebuilding efforts in Appalachian areas are being spearheaded by volunteers like Maria Lee, the wife of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who engaged with Tennessee Baptists in their Arise and Build initiative, which has successfully completed more than 110 jobs. Among the affected regions, western North Carolina has been hit hardest, where local Baptist associations have joined forces to assist their communities with the reconstruction mission.
Todd Unzicker, the executive director-treasurer for N.C. Baptists, remarked on the powerful impact local churches had during the disaster, stating, “When disaster struck our state last fall, we saw N.C. Baptists and Great Commission Baptists from around the country live out what it means to be ‘on mission together.'” This illustrates the collaborative spirit and dedication of the churches during the recovery process.
SBDR’s efforts initially concentrated on providing urgent aid, such as meals and cleanup assistance, while the current phase is directed towards rebuilding damaged homes. Richard Weeks, an associational mission strategist, has actively participated since October 5, focusing on leading reconstruction missions across the region. He noted the uniqueness of Helene’s devastation, attributing it to both the storm’s magnitude and the challenging terrain it affected.
The rebuilding process has been divided into phases, starting with rapid repairs to allow families to return home before winter. Currently, approximately 1,400 disaster response teams, which include over 7,000 volunteers, are aiding the Baptists on Mission initiative, successfully completing around 130 homes, with many more underway.
Weeks shared heartwarming accounts of how church outreach has rekindled faith in some families who had previously distanced themselves from their local churches. For instance, a family from Canton experienced a change in attitude during the rebuild, leading them to start attending Crestview Baptist Church, which witnessed significant baptisms following their engagement.
In terms of financial support, Baptists on Mission received a $3 million grant from the North Carolina government, while Send Relief has contributed additional funding. N.C. Baptists are also welcoming donations through ServeNC to sustain ongoing volunteer efforts for storm survivors into 2025.
In conclusion, Southern Baptists’ response to Hurricane Helene showcases a remarkable commitment to disaster relief and rebuilding efforts across multiple states. By providing essential services and fostering community engagement, they have restored hope and strengthened faith in many affected individuals. Continued financial and volunteer support is vital for maintaining these initiatives as the rebuilding progresses well into 2025.
Original Source: www.baptistpress.com
