By Jeff Brumley Until recently, faith-based disaster-relief agencies continued to rely heavily on e-mail and telephone to coordinate their efforts and communicate their needs to donors and volunteers. But recent disasters in Oklahoma and Texas have seen those agencies rely…
Praying and working
By Molly T. Marshall The Benedictine order has as its watchword: Ora et labora, meaning pray and work. One without the other is shallow and ineffective, according to the ancient practice of The Rule of St Benedict. Hard-won wisdom taught…
Twister response goes ecumenical
By Jeff Brumley If the deadly Oklahoma tornado has a silver lining, it may be the ecumenical spirit driving the response and recovery efforts of local churches, local ministers say. Local Baptist and other pastors describe an ongoing, cooperative effort…
OKC responders prepare, tell volunteers to wait
By Robert Dilday and Jeff Brumley Baptist churches and individuals eager to help the victims of Monday’s deadly Oklahoma twister are being told to get ready — and to wait. While some faith-based disaster-response agencies are cleared by authorities to…
Responders wait as Okla. twister news unfolds
By Jeff Brumley If you’re already wondering how Baptists disaster-relief organizations are going to respond to today’s massive Oklahoma tornadoes, you’re not alone. Leaders of those groups are wondering, too. “We’re watching it on television like everyone else,” said Tommy…
Staying calm is key to managing disasters
By Jeff Brumley It’s been a busy year for Baptist disaster-relief coordinators with tornadoes ripping Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, flooding in the Midwest and the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. All of that while conducting long-term recovery operations from…
Baptists respond to Texas tornadoes
By Ken Camp Disaster-relief volunteers from Texas Baptist Men offered comfort to injured people, helped clear debris and provided meals to rescue workers after tornadoes ripped through North Central Texas Wednesday evening, May 15. A series of tornadoes touched down…
Newtown event inspires disaster officials
By Jeff Brumley A CBF-supported conference called to help Newtown-area clergy has inspired Fellowship leaders to develop plans for responding to man-made disasters like the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre. The April 26 workshop in Connecticut has similarly led other participants,…
Disaster ministry: calling or compulsion?
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of faith-based disaster-recovery agencies say there’s nothing like calamity to invigorate a Christian’s faith. Pastors of churches where disasters strike have noticed a difference in people, too. “Whether it’s man-made or something from nature, I think…