Southern Baptists Continue Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts

Southern Baptists have been actively assisting with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts since its landfall on September 26, 2024. The storm, which caused $78.7 billion in damages and resulted in 248 fatalities, prompted extensive community support initiatives. SBDR has provided meals and completed thousands of recovery efforts, transitioning into rebuilding projects and restoring faith within affected communities.

Southern Baptists have actively provided assistance to the victims of Hurricane Helene since its landfall on September 26, 2024. As the six-month anniversary of the hurricane approaches, the focus has transitioned to rebuilding efforts in affected communities. The storm resulted in the tragic loss of 248 lives and incurred approximately $78.7 billion in damages, marking it as the seventh-costliest hurricane in U.S. history.

Josh Benton, the Vice President for National Ministry at Send Relief, highlighted the storm’s extensive impact, stating, “What set Helene apart was the widespread impact of the storm.” The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) network has showcased significant operational capacity across various states, providing necessary aid and support to meet community needs while sharing the gospel message in the aftermath.

In the immediate weeks following the hurricane, the SBDR prepared over one million meals and completed 7,800 recovery tasks, alongside reporting 244 professions of faith across nearly 40 sites in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Recently, the focus in Appalachia has shifted toward initiatives aimed at rebuilding, with significant contributions from local community leaders.

Tennessee’s First Lady, Maria Lee, participated with Tennessee Baptists in the Arise and Build initiative, which has successfully completed more than 110 rebuilding jobs. All six states impacted by Helene experienced considerable destruction, particularly western North Carolina near Asheville, which suffered some of the most severe effects.

Todd Unzicker, the Executive Director-Treasurer of N.C. Baptists, remarked on the collaborative efforts, stating, “When disaster struck our state, we saw N.C. Baptists and Great Commission Baptists from around the country live out what it means to be ‘on mission together.’” Initially, SBDR focused on urgent needs, such as providing hot meals and flood cleanup, whereas the focus has now shifted towards whole home reconstructions.

Richard Weeks, an associational mission strategist for the Eastern Baptist Association, has played a key role in the recovery efforts since October 5, 2024. He has traveled over 300 miles to assist in rebuilding efforts. “I’ve been doing this since 1999, and I’ve been to a lot of different places for disaster relief, but this is one of the most unique storms I’ve ever been a part of,” noted Weeks.

The rebuilding process began by prioritizing homes that could be repaired rapidly, ensuring families could return before winter. Subsequent phases have involved extensive repairs and plans are underway to completely reconstruct homes. Approximately 1,400 disaster response teams, totalling over 7,000 volunteers, have contributed to rebuilding efforts, with about 130 homes already completed and many more underway.

Weeks shared that fulfilling the community’s needs has led to renewed faith in local churches among those who suffered. Many individuals turn to the church for solace after losing faith. “We’ve had several stories of people rediscovering hope…this has brought back a faith that the church is trying to meet the needs of people,” said Weeks.

He shared a touching account involving a woman whose heart softened as volunteers helped her family, prompting her to attend Crestview Baptist Church, which witnessed 20 baptisms during the winter months.

Financial support for these renovations has included a $3 million grant from the North Carolina government, alongside aid from Send Relief and ongoing fundraising efforts through ServeNC. Unzicker expressed gratitude for the outreach efforts, asserting, “God has made His grace and providence evident and answered our prayers.”

In conclusion, the Southern Baptists’ response to Hurricane Helene underscores their commitment to community rebuilding and faith restoration. With the provision of meals, cleanup efforts, and rebuilding initiatives, they have significantly aided survivors. The collaborative efforts of volunteers, local church leaders, and financial support reflect a strong communal response to disaster, while personal stories of hope and restored faith highlight the profound impact of these humanitarian efforts.

Original Source: www.sendrelief.org