Our Response to the Wildfires in Maui, Hawaii
To the staff of all our Brentwood Baptist campuses, we wanted to share an update regarding crisis response. Many of you have already heard the questions, “What are we doing to help?” or “What can I do to help?” concerning the situation in Maui, Hawaii. Here is our answer: there are three parts to the ways we can and do respond.
- We Partner. We work with those partners who have access to and/or have feet on the ground to know what is going on in the area. These partners know the healthiest way to come alongside needs as they develop, both in the current climate of trauma and in the days ahead. We do not want to make assumptions about what is needed but rather hear and learn from those experts accessing the situation.
- We Pray. There is a great deal of trauma associated with any crisis. We pray for those affected and those the Lord has placed there specifically to walk with those in the midst of these moments of trauma. Pray for wisdom in how we respond and that the gospel will be proclaimed and demonstrated through this crisis.
- We Give. We will work through our partners and ministry relationships as needs come to our attention. We look for ways we can join in the work in a hands-on way, and your giving is what allows that support to happen.
We want to share a little bit about what is happening in our immediate response to Maui and also how our support continues for the situation in Ukraine.
We are working with our Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) partner and Send Relief to assess what the many needs are, who is best suited to address those needs, what the timeline needs to be, what resources are needed, and other pertinent information.
We have already released funds for disaster relief to go toward the effort in Maui with TBMB, and we will be looking at additional needs as they are made known.
We continue to work with our partners (Mission Eurasia, IMB, and Send Relief) around the on-going Ukraine crisis. We have sent and are planning to send Mission Journey teams to Moldova and possibly Ukraine to continue working with refugees and their children. Food and health care insecurity continue to be major issues as well as general safety and dealing with trauma.
We are thankful to walk with our trusted partners in communities experiencing trauma, and we are committed to longevity in the work ahead.
For questions or to know more about getting connected please reach out to Vicki Howell at [email protected].
Grace and Mercy,
Vicki Howell
Community and Mercy Missions Minister
Our Response to Hurricane Ian
(Updated 9/30/22 at 1:00 PM)
This past week, a category 4 hurricane hit the US and caused significant damage to Florida and South Carolina. As we are hearing the news of all that has happened in its wake, we are thankful for the processes and relationships we have in place.
Our church has a team of trained and equipped individuals that give their time and energy to make sure we are ready to respond. In the coming days, we will post opportunities to serve with our Disaster Response Ministry. Please know that there will be immediate need, as well as long-term support. To learn about opportunities to serve, please contact Dawn Bishop.
We will continue to partner with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) and other organizations for response. We will not be collecting items to send at this time. However, you can continue to give towards the work through the Hurricane Relief Fund. We will be putting these funds to work as needs become more apparent.
Let’s continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ian, believing for hearts to trust in Him. May His church rise up as we go on mission to love and serve.
Our Response to the Ukraine crisis
We are in the process of reaching out to our partners (IMB, Send Relief) and contacts about the situation in Ukraine. Missions staff have already been on several calls and email exchanges with those that have direct contact. As a minimum, there will be a large refugee issue as people flee the area. IMB has already evacuated all their personnel to other locations and have plans to continue their work in Ukraine through their national networks.
Here is a great response from the IMB page (https://www.imb.org/2022/02/24/send-relief-responds-ukraine-crisis/):
Send Relief responds to the Ukraine crisis
Send Relief, the combined compassion ministry effort of the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, is currently working with local Baptist partners in Ukraine to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis. This crisis has been created by the escalated tension mounting around the border between Ukraine and Russia and Russia’s invasion.
Send Relief partners are already on the ground providing emergency food relief, shelter, clothing and more to displaced families. As the situation worsens, Send Relief partners are ready to provide further food relief, meet shelter needs and offer transportation to assist those impacted by this escalating crisis.
Reports continue to indicate that as many as 5 million Ukrainians will be displaced in neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania, and a large number of internally displaced people are beginning to form in Western Ukraine. The greatest needs for these displaced families will include finding access to food, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation and hygiene.
Gifts to Send Relief’s Ukraine Crisis Fund are vital to these relief efforts. The best way for Southern Baptists to respond is through prayer and giving.
Send Relief encourages churches and individuals to pray for Ukraine by downloading the Ukraine Prayer Guide: