Alabamians woke up March 20 to images of their tornado-tracked state, a scene all too familiar. But Roger Willmore said there’s a sight he wishes everyone could see — how Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) teams have descended on his part of the state. “This operation is working like a
Even after an EF-3 tornado ripped through their college campus, Jacksonville State University (JSU) students elected to remain in Houston to help hurricane survivors rather than returning to assess their own damaged living spaces. It was not the spring break most expected. Then again, perhaps it was, at least in
Strong storms moved across North Alabama Monday evening, March 19, spawning several tornadoes. Among the hardest hit areas was Jacksonville in Calhoun Association, where the campus of Jacksonville State University sustained damage and the West Point Baptist Church building was partially destroyed. In Etowah Association, Rainbow City and Southside were
What exactly is the “Yellow Shirt Army”? The answer to the question begins with God’s call on every believer to be His hands and feet. For those who become part of this army – those who volunteer to be part of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief – this calling will nudge
Tommy Puckett, longtime Alabama Baptist men’s ministry and disaster relief director, died Feb. 23. He was 74. Before he retired in 2009, Puckett had served as director of the office of men’s ministry for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) for nearly 20 years. That office provided training
In times of crisis, trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers play a critical role in meeting the needs in the affected community, including helping first responders cope with the tragedy. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is one of the upcoming trainings scheduled for this spring through Alabama Baptist Disaster
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) teams across the state were on alert as Hurricane Nate made landfall Oct. 7 but fortunately, the storm brought mostly rain as it passed through Alabama. That was good news for the state and for ABDR teams, many of whom have been busy serving in
Approximately 25 percent of Florida’s population is Hispanic, which is why a Spanish-speaking chaplain working with Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) was a valuable member of one team serving in the state. “There are pockets of people (in Fort Myers, Florida) who speak little or no English,” said Cookie Baker,
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are making their way to Puerto Rico. They will be assisting local churches with whatever needs present themselves. The future plan is for the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief network to divide the island into regions and for various state conventions to work to take care
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) volunteers helping residents in hurricane-ravaged Florida are finding many physical needs and great spiritual needs as well. “A lot of it is heartbreaking but some of it is joyous,” said Thelma Goolsby, an ABDR chaplain from Hepzibah Baptist Church, McCalla, in Pleasant Grove Baptist Association,
As of today, Alabama Disaster Relief volunteers continue to serve in Florida, Texas, and St. Thomas USVI. Most of our teams are serving in the Fort Myers area. As of this evening, the plan is for our mass feeding kitchen to shut down after meals are prepared Wednesday. First Baptist
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) volunteers are serving meals, clearing trees and covering roofs as Florida continues to recover after Hurricane Irma. “Our effort is set up and running, and our teams are staying busy,” said Mark Wakefield, disaster relief strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).