Southern Baptists Continue Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts Six Months Later

Six months after Hurricane Helene made landfall, Southern Baptists are focused on rebuilding the affected communities across multiple states. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has provided significant aid, completing thousands of recovery jobs, while volunteers continue to assist in reconstruction efforts. Stories of restored faith among individuals have emerged as churches engage actively in their communities, supported by sizable grants and donations for long-term recovery.

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26, 2024, has left a lasting impact on Southern Baptist communities, resulting in 248 fatalities and approximately $78.7 billion in damages. With six months having passed since the storm, Southern Baptists have transitioned from relief efforts to supporting the rebuilding of affected communities across six states, including Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) has been pivotal in providing assistance, preparing over one million meals and completing more than 7,800 recovery jobs. Additionally, there were 244 professions of faith at nearly 40 SBDR sites during the weeks following the disaster. Josh Benton, vice president for national ministry at Send Relief, noted the extensive reach of SBDR, highlighting the dedication and flexibility of volunteers as they navigated the challenging landscapes shaped by Helene.

In Appalachia, efforts now concentrate on rebuilding. Recently, Maria Lee, the spouse of Tennessee’s governor, collaborated with local Baptists as part of the Arise and Build initiative, which has completed over 110 rebuilding jobs. Todd Unzicker, Executive Director-Treasurer for N.C. Baptists, acknowledged the exceptional response from local Baptist congregations, emphasizing their commitment to serving communities in crisis.

The SBDR initially addressed urgent needs by providing hot meals and cleanup services after severe flooding. Moving forward into 2025, attention has shifted towards rebuilding homes. Richard Weeks, an associational mission strategist, has been actively involved in recovery since October 5, 2024, leading efforts aimed at assisting families in western North Carolina, particularly in locations severely battered by the storm.

The rebuilding process has been strategically organized into phases. The first phase involved repairing homes to ensure families could return before winter, while subsequent phases tackle more extensive damage, with further plans to rebuild homes entirely. Approximately 1,400 response teams comprising over 7,000 volunteers have contributed to the efforts, resulting in around 130 completed homes and 250 additional homes currently under renovation.

Through these relief efforts, stories of faith and community revival have emerged. Many individuals who previously lost hope in local churches found renewed faith through direct assistance from SBDR and Baptists on Mission. Weeks shared anecdotes of transformations, including families who once distanced themselves from faith but returned to church through the outreach initiatives.

Baptists on Mission received a substantial $3 million grant from the North Carolina government to aid the rebuilding efforts. Send Relief has similarly contributed financial resources, aiding long-term recovery for storm survivors as donations continue through ServeNC. Unzicker expressed gratitude for what has been achieved so far and maintains faith in God’s guidance for the ongoing rebuilding process.

In summary, the response to Hurricane Helene has demonstrated the resilience and compassion of the Southern Baptist community. As they transition from immediate relief efforts to rebuilding, the emphasis is on restoring homes and providing spiritual support to those affected. The ongoing involvement of volunteers and the substantial financial assistance from government and church initiatives highlight a united effort to overcome the challenges posed by the disaster.

Original Source: www.sendrelief.org