Responding to Hurricane Harvey

, Blog

Credit: North American Mission Board

How do you respond when an event of such epic proportions inundates a city of 6 million people?

In 2013, local elected officials were asking their communities to pray for rain in west Texas. This August, we are praying for the rain to stop and for relief from flooding. IMAGE COURTESY OF TODD WISEMAN, TEXAS TRIBUNE & PEDRO MOURA PINHEIRO, TEXAS TRIBUNE

First of all, we pray. We pray for God’s people to shine during these moments. For believers across Texas to reflect the strength, compassion and glory of Jesus to a flood-ravaged region. We pray for the first responders. We pray for rescue. We pray for relief. We pray for practical needs and for the generosity of churches across Texas and the nation.

In addition to prayer, the North American Mission Board is Northstar’s #1 path for mobilizing practical aid to the people of Texas and Louisiana. Recently NAMB sent these two practical guidelines to Southern Baptist pastors to help enlist aid from their churches:

  1. Serve. Thousands of volunteers will be needed to serve in Houston shelters, feeding kitchens childcare units and beyond. Whether you’re experienced in Disaster Relief or not, you’re needed to show Christ’s love in action! We are awaiting specific instructions from the government and our partners on when it will be safe to enter the area. Sign up as an individual or group at namb.net/Harvey.
  2. Donate. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Send Relief will be providing long-term relief to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Mobile kitchens are being called to prepare up to 150,000 meals a day. Volunteers will be mudding out houses for months to come, and chainsaw crews will clear fallen trees until every Texan can come home. You can help encourage and support their efforts by giving here or by texting SENDRELIEF to 41444.

Consider praying as a family or small group for the churches of Texas to shine, for the hope of Jesus to become evident in good deeds and generosity and for the people impacted by the flood to experience relief and recovery.