Southern Baptists have been actively aiding Hurricane Helene survivors since September 2024, transitioning from immediate relief to rebuilding efforts. The storm caused significant destruction and loss of life across six states. Recovery initiatives have involved food distribution, home repairs, and rebuilding communities, with an emphasis on restoring faith through church engagement and volunteer assistance.
Since Hurricane Helene’s landfall on September 26, 2024, Southern Baptists have been actively providing aid to affected individuals. As the six-month anniversary approaches, efforts have transitioned from emergency relief to helping communities rebuild. Helene resulted in 248 fatalities and approximately $78.7 billion in damages, ranking it as the seventh-costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
Josh Benton, the Vice President for National Ministry at Send Relief, highlighted the breadth of the storm’s impact across numerous states, noting, “Their ability to extend themselves that far signals the strength and capacity of the SBDR network.” Southern Baptists have expressed immense gratitude for the commitment shown by volunteers and local leadership during this crisis.
In the aftermath, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) served over one million meals and completed more than 7,800 recovery jobs. Across nearly 40 SBDR sites in the affected states, there were also 244 professions of faith reported. The focus has now shifted in Appalachia towards rebuilding communities, with significant actions already underway.
Maria Lee, wife of Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee, recently partnered with Tennessee Baptists through the Arise and Build initiative, successfully completing over 110 jobs. Among the most affected areas was Asheville in western North Carolina, where local church communities showcased remarkable dedication to service following the storm.
SBDR initially addressed urgent needs post-disaster by distributing hot meals and conducting clean-ups. By 2025, their volunteers are now focusing on assisting survivors with home repairs as they begin the rebuilding process. Richard Weeks, a strategic mission leader, highlighted the uniqueness of this disaster due to its scale and terrain.
Recovery efforts commenced with swift repairs to enable displaced families to return home before winter. As rebuilding progresses, unlimited support has poured in from volunteer disaster response teams totaling over 7,000 individuals. Approximately 130 homes have been renovated, with 250 more currently underway.
Weeks noted the profound testimony of hope shared by victims of the disaster, stating, “I’ve got several stories where that was exactly what they shared… but this has brought back a hope and a faith that the church is really at the forefront of trying to meet the needs of people.” A notable example involved a woman from Canton who, initially resistant due to personal hardships, eventually engaged with the local church following encounters during the rebuilding process.
This rebuilding initiative has also seen volunteers discovering faith themselves, with instances of baptism occurring amidst the recovery efforts, including a volunteer baptized in a pick-up truck. The project has received significant support, including a $3 million grant from the North Carolina government and resources from Send Relief to aid ongoing efforts through 2025.
Todd Unzicker noted, “God has made His grace and providence evident and answered our prayers,” affirming the commitment of local churches in continuing these vital relief and rebuilding activities for storm survivors.
In summary, the response of Southern Baptists to Hurricane Helene demonstrates resilience and commitment through ongoing rebuilding efforts across multiple states. With significant aid from local congregations and volunteers, the recovery process is addressing not only physical needs but also restoring faith and hope within communities. Continued support from organizations and the government plays a crucial role in sustaining these initiatives going forward.
Original Source: www.sendrelief.org
