In recent days, the entire nation has been riveted on the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Our hearts have ached for the loss of lives, homes, businesses, schools, and entire communities. We have been shocked at the news of thousands of our citizens who became instant displaced persons right here in America. At the same time, we have been reassured that when hard times come, Americans are a gracious and caring people. How heartwarming it has been to realize that help has been delivered by so many to those hurting and desperate persons and families.
The United States is a great nation, and we have a proven tradition of overcoming tragedies and going on to be a better people.
I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all those South Carolina Baptists who have assisted in any way whatsoever to alleviate the pain and suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina. Our people have once again been quick and unselfish in their response to human need. That is just the way we are when the chance presents itself for us to show the love of Christ through our deeds, actions, and gifts.
The disaster relief ministries of the South Carolina Baptist Convention are directed by Cliff Satterwhite. He is a pro at his work. Aiding him day by day are dozens upon dozens of church volunteers, convention staff members, and associational workers. In recent years, Cliff and his team of helpers have trained some 2,500 disaster relief volunteers from all over the state to provide excellent care when floods, tornados, ice storms, fires, or hurricanes occur with fury. We most often coordinate our efforts through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention so as to cooperate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. We do not want to be loners in our disaster relief efforts. We believe that the more we combine our resources with those agencies that have the greatest experience in responding to disasters, the more real help we will be able to offer to people and communities in need.
By the way, our next training opportunity for disaster relief work will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14-15, at our White Oak Conference Center. Anyone interested should call Cliff’s office at the South Carolina Baptist Convention in Columbia. His numbers are 1-800-723-7242 or 803-765-0030. His email address is cliffsatterwhite@scbaptist.org.
In being able to respond to the emergency situations that occur, we are only able to do so because of the Cooperative Program, the Annie Armstrong Offering for North America, and the Janie Chapman Offering for South Carolina funding needs. Without those sources of monies, our disaster relief efforts would be almost nonexistent. We have no choice but to depend on the generous and faithful giving of Baptist church members week after week after week.
I so thank God for South Carolina Baptists and for Cliff Satterwhite and hundreds upon hundreds of our people who serve so sacrificially with mercy and kindness to help others in the name and spirit of the Lord Jesus.