Whitworth urges BRN churches to pray, give and go to help those affected by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has left a horrific mark from Florida to Georgia to the Carolinas and more, leaving behind unbelievable destruction. When you see devastation on this scale, it’s hard to know what to do. Baptist Resource Network Executive Director Barry Whitworth offers three things you can do now to help.

October 2, 2024
Barry Whitworth

Hello, BRN Family! It’s good to be with you today.

No doubt you have seen the scenes: devastated cities, communities, businesses, churches and homes. Hurricane Helene has left a horrific mark from Florida to Georgia to the Carolinas and more, leaving behind unbelievable destruction. Many of you have ties to family and friends who have been affected, and our hearts go out to everyone who has been harmed in some way.

When you see devastation on this scale, it’s hard to know what to do. May I offer three things?

First, pray!

Please join us in praying for God to lead relief workers to people who need to be rescued quickly. Pray for our partners in the South who are feeling the brunt of the workload as they work to care for their neighbors. Pray residents affected by the storm will be vigilant and avoid further danger. Pray for churches and other organizations, like our Disaster Relief, to have a great impact in the recovery process. More than anything, pray that people will turn to Jesus as their Savior. He alone is the true source of strength and help.

Second, give!

Many have asked how to donate to help hurricane victims. Gifts to the PA/SJ Impact Fund support disaster response efforts all year long, but your financial gifts are especially welcome now. Visit online at www.brnunited.org/helene, and we will be sure to disperse them where needed most in the disaster response.

Third, go!

At this time, our Disaster Relief director, Kenton Hunt, has placed all trained BRN Disaster Relief volunteers on STAND-BY, which means that it is time for them to commit to a specific week and prepare for departure from home. The BRN’s DR destination will be the western edge of South Carolina, somewhere along the Aiken to Easley corridor. The destination for the Recovery Teams could also be Spartanburg, but that has not yet been assigned as of yet

Currently, there are two weeks available for physical laborers and chaplains. Week 1 is Sunday, Oct. 6, to Saturday, Oct. 12. Week 2 is Sunday, Oct. 13, to Saturday, Oct. 19. Also needed are 6-10 mass-feeding volunteers to bolster the South Carolina feeding teams, starting next week.

There will probably be other weeks, but this is our focus for now. The work will likely be a combination of chainsaw and flood cleanup. Interested? Please contact Kenton at KentonH@brnunited.org for next steps.

With our partners NC and SB Baptists in our hearts, we thank you again for your willingness to pray, give and go. As always, thanks for listening in and may God bless you.

Barry Whitworth

Barry has been in ministry for over 30 years, serving as a mission pastor, associate pastor, church planter, pastor, interim pastor, transitional pastor and planter, church planting strategist, lead church planting catalyst, church planting director, and now executive director. Before his calling as Executive Director of the Baptist Resource Network in February 2017, he was a church planting missionary and served the Multiplying Churches Team Leader for the BRN.