ABHMS issues appeal for OGHS donations following tornadoes, flooding in Central US
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 04/29/2024)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) issues a call for prayers and financial donations for those across the Central United States, from Texas to Wisconsin, who were ravaged by recent weather. Since Friday, April 26, tornadoes, flash floods and severe winds have resulted in lives lost, devastated property and widespread power outages.
Reports coming late April 28 have identified Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa as the hardest-hit states. Four people, including an infant, in three different Oklahoma communities have died, and one person in Iowa was killed.
The Rev. Lisa Harris Lee, ABHMS director of Healing & Transforming Communities, said: “We lament the news of death, injury and destruction caused by tornadoes in recent days. We are communicating with ministry leaders in the states affected as they work to appraise the apparent and less visible impacts of the tragedy.”
The Rev. Dr. Gregg L.J. Hemmen, executive minister of American Baptist Churches of the Central Region, confirms that flooding has affected homes and churches in southeast Kansas. Similarly, the Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula, executive minister of American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, relates that communities of church members have been “impacted by the storms.” Both pastors acknowledge that a comprehensive damage assessment will take time.
Through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), your donations are directed to the designated disaster within weeks and often for years following the event as neglected needs emerge. All your gifts will make a difference in the lives of people we may or may not know and show the love of God where and when it is needed most.
How you can help:
Please join American Baptists in supporting the relief efforts directed toward those affected by the tornadoes and their aftermath in the Midwest and Southern Plains. One hundred percent of designated OGHS gifts are allocated to domestic disaster relief.
You can donate via your church or directly online.
Checks designated to OGHS – Spring Tornadoes should be mailed to ABHMS’ Office of Development, care of Kim Wilkins, 1075 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. If intended, they should also include the name of the donor’s church to ensure that it receives credit for the gift.
The World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA administers OGHS. The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.
To learn more, visit abhms.org.
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.
