Just as you did it unto the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
— Matthew 25:40
Hurricanes, tsunamis and devastating fires may be short-lived, but their effects on human life and property linger for many years. Out of love for Christ and all people, American Baptists minister to those who struggle to rebuild lives after disaster.
Thanks to funds contributed to the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) Disaster-response Ministries provides financial assistance in every region of the United States in the name of American Baptist Churches USA. This financial assistance meets immediate needs of disaster victims—for food, shelter, clothing and medical care.
Funds support ongoing, long-term recovery work as well. In cooperation with other people of faith, ABHMS works closely with the Emergency Response Program of Church World Service (CWS) to develop a comprehensive ministry of healing and recovery.
ABHMS’ Volunteers Mobilization Ministries assists in organizing one- to two-week disaster-response work crews. When an American Baptist region affected by disaster is prepared to receive volunteers, Volunteer-mobilization Ministries serves as a clearinghouse for dispatching relief teams to the area. Also, Volunteer-mobilization Ministries encourages groups to respond to long-term recovery and rebuilding needs when the immediate crisis is over.
For more information about Disaster-response Ministries, contact:
Rev. Lisa Harris Lee
Director, Healing & Transforming Communities