By Jeff Brumley Organizers of a CBF-sponsored conference held in April to help ministers and counselors emotionally impacted by the Sandy Hook massacre say they’re prepared to replicate the program if needed. However, they add that it’s yet to become…
Rest elusive for disaster workers
By Jeff Brumley Barbecues, trips to the mountains, visits to the beach or just relaxing in the backyard are options for many pastors during the summer. But not those who find themselves and their congregations at ground zero of recent…
CBF joins Red Cross, others in Sandy fund
By Jeff Brumley The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is joining forces with some of the biggest names in disaster relief and social services to provide long-term assistance to victims of Hurricane Sandy. A CBF representative and the Fellowship’s logo appeared at…
BWAid solicits aid funds for U.S.
By Bob Allen Baptists worldwide have been asked to donate funds to assist people recovering from a series of disasters in the United States. Baptist World Aid, the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, announced an appeal June 24…
One giant step for West, Texas
By Jeff Brumley The Central Texas city rocked by a fertilizer plant explosion took a giant leap toward recovery last week during “Loving West,” a cleanup campaign organized by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Planners with BGCT disaster recovery…
Doctrinal disputes disappear in disaster
Jeff Brumley The capital “C” Church is on display in West, Texas, as Churches of Christ, Methodists, Mennonites and Baptists join together to help the Central Texas city recover from the April fertilizer plant explosion. Doctrinal controversies such as grace-vs.-works or whether the Bible is inerrant take a…
In West, helpers become the helped
By Jeff Brumley It’s hard being helped when you’re used to being the helper. Just ask the folks at First Baptist Church in West, Texas. Church member Presley Landrum, 16, said she and her youth group friends are accustomed to…
Moderates among Baptists ‘Loving West’
By Jeff Brumley If faith has led hundreds of volunteers from around the state to descend on West, Texas, for 13-year-old Emily Dodson it was that and something more personal. “I know people who lost friends, dads,” said Dodson, a…
Volunteers sought for twister recovery
By Jeff Brumley Cooperative Baptist Fellowship officials in Oklahoma say they are prepared to handle visiting, short-term volunteer groups to help with tornado cleanup and recovery. Based at First Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma CBF Disaster Response has already hosted…