Central Tornado Response

All of us have watched in disbelief the devastation wrought by the tornadoes that swept through Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. Our hearts have been broken as the news has reported lives lost, homes destroy, business obliterated, and families still searching for missing loved ones.

Watching these news reports, it is only natural to want to help. In the last two days ABCOPAD Regional Pastor for Congregations Dr. Jeff Johnson contacted leadership in our sister regions to see ask if there was any need for immediate assistance. Jeff wrote, “I reached out to the Executive Ministers of the states hit by the tornadoes to see if there is anything we can do to inform our people and/or assist theirs. So far, NO ABC congregations or ABC congregants have been directly affected in IN/KY, ABCOTS, Great Rivers, or the two churches that are affiliated with ABC Rochester/Genesee in TN and KY, though everyone in the tornado’s 200+ mile path knows someone who has been. We are surely thankful for those who aren't hurt or hit but praying for those who have been.”

Today (December 15th) a news release from ABC-USA was dispatch with information regarding One Great Hour of Share (OGHS) funds being released to assist those in need. Here is the link to the press release: https://www.abc-usa.org/2021/12/american-baptists-collect-one-great-hour-of-sharing-donations-in-response-to-recent-tornadoes/

If you would like to contribute, you can donate to the OGHS–Central Tornado through your local church. Simply designate your contribution for OGHS–Central Tornado and have your church treasurer send the donation with your regular church mission giving. You can also use our ABCOPAD online giving and in the comments section include OGHS–Central Tornado. Here is the link to the online giving page: https://give.ministrylinq.com/app/giving/abcopad

No doubt ABCOPAD will be sending disaster relief teams once we’ve coordinated with organization such as FEMA and other local disaster relief agencies such as Samaritan’s Purse, Habitat For Humanity, and the Fuller Foundation. You can contribute to the ABCOPAD Disaster Relief Fund knowing your contribution will help disaster relief teams from our Region serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, helping those need. To learn more about the ABCOPAD Disaster Relief Fund follow this link: https://www.abcopad.org/Mission_Resources/ABCOPAD-Disaster-Relief-Information/

Please continue to pray for all those impacted by the recent tornadoes. As we learn more regarding opportunities to help, we will pass along the news. Thank you for being a partner in ministry.

God Bless,

Mark