Haiti Disaster Relief

By now you have heard of the devastation that the population of Haiti has experienced. As Christians, our first thoughts are, “What can we do to help?” In a disaster situation like this, true help that does not hurt  or complicate the situation requires knowledge and wisdom.

Here are some routes of help available to us:

• Prayer – Always our most potent resource, prayer enables us to be involved even while not physically present. Prayer reminds us that our greatest aid and their greatest hope is God Himself.
• Resource Donations – The humanitarian aid necessary to rebuild and heal Haiti will be substantial. God has blessed us as a people with great resources to steward for His glory and for the good of others. However we must give wisely in order to assure the best use of these resources.

I would like to highlight an important resource we have as Southern Baptists:

• Florida Baptist Convention – Each state in the Southern Baptist Convention has its own organization that exists to resource and equip local churches in that state. Our’s is the BCMD. State conventions also help coordinate local missions and disaster relief. The Florida Baptist Convention (FBC) has a longstanding partnership with churches in Haiti who are mobilizing to help their own people. The FBC is raising funds to support that work, in addition to sending their own disaster relief personnel. If you want to donate money, a donation to the FBC would ensure that your dollars are working to bring healing in Jesus’ name. Click here for the FBC donation website.
• Volunteer as a Disaster Relief Worker – Our state baptist convention has a disaster relief team of volunteers that is trained to deal with disaster situations. This kind of work requires special training beforehand due to the dangers of disaster sitations. Though largely an untold story, Southern Baptists were among the first responders to the Hurrican Katrina crisis, and after many other organizations left, they remained because they were partnered with local baptists churches in the affected region. If you would like to be trained for disaster relief situations, click here for the BCMD’s disaster relief page. Contact the missionary listed on the right for more information.

Perhaps the best usage of resources is to support Gospel-centered ministries that are already at work in Haiti providing food, shelter and education, along with sharing the Gospel message. One such ministry at work in Haiti prior to the earthquake that is providing disaster relief is World Vision. Though primarily working with children, in time of crisis (like this one), WV provides general disaster relief to families.

During the Worship Gathering this coming Sunday, January 17, Metanoia will announce additional resources and ways you can help provide for those most in need right now.