ABHMS accepts OGHS donations for Hurricane Imelda relief efforts

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/20/19)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is accepting donations through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) for Hurricane Imelda relief efforts. The storm resulted in more than 3 feet of water and thousands of rescues and evacuations in parts of Texas before it was downgraded to a tropical depression.

According to news reports, residents consider Imelda worse than Hurricane Harvey, which devastated Beaumont, Texas, in August 2017. In fact, Imelda flooded Jefferson County, Texas, with more than 40 inches of rain in three days, according to the National Weather Service, Houston, rendering Imelda the seventh wettest tropical cyclone in U.S. history.

ABHMS will collaborate with American Baptist Churches of the South and other churches and partners working in Texas.

How you can help

Please join ABHMS in prayer for Texas, which experienced fatalities in addition to extensive property damage. Pray not only for those survivors who were rescued or evacuated but also for those who are re-experiencing trauma and those who are providing first response and emergency services.

 Financial contributions to support relief efforts can be sent through your local American Baptist church or via check payable to ABHMS and mailed to the attention of Leda Carter at American Baptist Home Mission Societies, 1075 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. Write “OGHSHurricane Imelda” on the memo line. One hundred percent of donations go to relief efforts; no dollars are retained for administrative costs.

Questions should be directed to the Rev. Kadia Edwards, ABHMS national coordinator of Volunteer-mobilization and Disaster-response Ministries, at kadia.edwards@abhms.org or 610-768-2449.

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.