Southern Baptists’ Continued Support for Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
Southern Baptists have actively supported recovery and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene since it struck in September 2024, leading to the loss of over 230 lives and monumental damage. Relief initiatives have provided over 1 million meals and assisted with the reconstruction of homes, involving thousands of volunteers across impacted states. Significant stories of transformed lives and reconnections with the church have surfaced amid the relief efforts, backed by substantial financial support for ongoing work.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26, 2024, has prompted significant efforts from Southern Baptists to assist affected communities. Six months post-disaster, the focus has shifted from immediate relief to long-term rebuilding efforts, as Helene resulted in over 230 lives lost and approximately $200 billion in damages, making it the most expensive storm in U.S. history.
In the aftermath, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) has provided vast assistance, preparing over 1 million meals and completing more than 7,800 recovery jobs, along with reporting 244 professions of faith through various SBDR sites across six states. As rebuilding commences, Tennessee Baptists, led by Maria Lee, are actively engaged in helping homeowners, having completed over 110 projects.
The devastation varied across the six states, with western North Carolina experiencing particularly severe damage. Todd Unzicker, N.C. Baptists executive director-treasurer, commended local churches for their collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of action in fulfilling their mission. Initial responses included providing hot meals and cleanup operations, while subsequent efforts are now directed at rebuilding homes that suffered significant damage.
Richard Weeks, involved since early October, noted the unique challenges presented by this historic storm. The rebuilding initiative focuses on quickly repairing homes, with over 1,400 disaster response teams and 7,000 volunteers contributing to efforts to return families to their houses. While about 130 homes have been completed, 250 additional projects are underway.
Stories of transformed lives have emerged from the disaster response; some beneficiaries report rekindled faith in the church as they see the compassionate outreach of volunteers. For example, a family in Canton experienced a change of heart toward the church thanks to the kindness shown during the rebuilding process.
Baptists on Mission received a $3 million state grant to assist with rebuilding efforts, complemented by financial resources from Send Relief. N.C. Baptists continue to accept donations through ServeNC to sustain their mission into 2025. Unzicker expressed faith that God’s providence would support ongoing rebuilding initiatives.
In conclusion, Southern Baptists have played a critical role in the ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene. The substantial collaborative response has not only facilitated physical recovery but has also fostered spiritual renewal among affected communities. With the continued support of volunteers and financial resources, the rebuilding process is set to progress through 2025, guiding families back to hope and faith.
Original Source: www.brnow.org
