American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware

Hurricane Dorian Response - 1

 

 

Hurricane Dorian, which over the Labor Day weekend was one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, pounded Grand Bahama Island for more than an entire day, killing at least seven people. Floodwater inundated homes in the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas ahead of its advance on the U.S. East Coast.

Bahamian officials cite the destruction in the northern Bahamas as a "historic tragedy." Communication lines on the islands have been down since the storm began, and therefore the full extent of the loss of life and property is only now being revealed.

Rev. Dr. Adalia Gutierrez-Lee, an Area Director at International Ministries, shares "I have spoken with Rev. Everton Jackson, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship, to express our prayers and solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Bahamas during this terrible time."

The president of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship, Rev. Dr. William Thompson, who lives in Nassau, Bahamas advised that a comprehensive assessment will be done as soon as possible. In the meantime, the immediate response requires water, food, flashlights, mattresses and medical supplies.

IM has sent a $15,000 One Great Hour of Sharing emergency relief grant to the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship as an initial response. The magnitude of the destruction we can see already shows devastation that will require not just immediate relief, but also the long-term rebuilding of homes, lives, and livelihoods.

IM has no global servants or volunteers serving in the Bahama islands.

Gutierrez-Lee requests prayer for all the people affected by the hurricane, and particularly to lift up Baptist leaders and members as they mourn their own losses, while at the same time seeking to provide leadership in relief and recovery efforts from this devastating event.

Additionally, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is monitoring the status of Hurricane Dorian. If a need in the Carolinas or other U.S. area arises, a response will be determined at that time. ABHMS will collaborate with American Baptist Churches of the South (ABCOTS) and has been in contact with ABCOTS Executive Minister Dr. James Harrison.

Those wishing to support relief efforts can do so by any of the following:

  • You can pray!
    • Pray for those living on the Bahamas which experienced significant damage to property and loss of lives. Pray for evacuees in the United States and Puerto Rico and those reliving trauma from previous hurricanes. Pray also for all first responders and emergency workers who are coming to their aid.
  • You can give through your church's missions giving
    • By designating your contribution for OGHS-Bahamas Relief, funds will be processed with your monthly mission donations.
  • You can give via our ABCOPAD ON-LINE GIVING web page HERE.
    • Go to our on-line contribution web page and select OGHS-Bahamas Relief.
  • You can mail your check to ABCOPAD Treasurer,
    • Caryl Casey: P.O. Box 421, Hatboro PA 19040.
    • On the memo line of your check write OGHS-Bahamas Relief.
  • You can give to the ABCOPAD Disaster Relief Fund.
    • These funds are retained by our own Region and then used to facilitate disaster relief teams to the effected area (in this case the Bahamas). When you give to the ABCOPAD Disaster Relief Fund, it helps our Region send teams to assist in disaster relief efforts.
    • Simply designate your contribution for the ABCOPAD Disaster Relief Fund either on-line or on your check. We are already hearing from people who would like to be on a team doing disaster relief in the Bahamas!

If you have further questions, contact Mark Mahserjian-Smith.