While most students think of spring break as an opportunity to hit the beach, Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) students can be found on the front lines of crisis providing ministry and relief for communities experiencing disaster. Edwin Hocutt, campus minister for UAH/Calhoun campuses, phoned me Saturday to ask if he could divert his team of 16 students from a previously planned trip in order to assist with flood relief currently taking place in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
As a result of specialized training provided to Campus Ministers offered by the State Board of Missions and Disaster Relief in 2014, this group of collegians have been able to engage with Alabama Disaster Relief units onsite in Monroe, Louisiana, where Alabama resources and teams are working alongside other state conventions to provide mud-out ministry for area residents.
Baldwin, Chilton, Cleburne and St. Clair disaster relief teams are working with students in order to extend Great Commission ministry. Support from BCM students are enabling disaster relief teams to reach more homes with the message of Christ. The ministry of disaster relief provides a two-fold blessing by providing a holistic witness for the un-reached as well as discipleship opportunities for all ages.
Students from the University of Alabama, led by campus minister Nate Young, have also devoted their Spring Break week to assist an ongoing Southern Baptist flood recovery in Michigan. Their efforts have combined with other BCM teams from across the country for rebuild efforts and a continued evangelistic witness.
Three mass feeding teams from Alabama have deployed to Michigan to provided meals and housing support for BCM student teams throughout the month of March. Local, national and international disaster relief efforts provided by Alabama Baptists reflect a deep commitment to Great Commission ministries and remain true to an Acts 1:8 model for missions. Remember to pray for families receiving a gospel touch from Christ through our missionaries.
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State Missionary Mel Johnson is the disaster relief strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. You can reach him at [email protected] or direct at 334-613-2389.
The last Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief team that was deployed to help those affected by Hurricane Helene has returned home, though others may go again after Thanksgiving. Mark Wakefield, state disaster relief
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