As Hurricane Ivan’s wrath swept over Alabama, the state’s Baptists compassionately reached out to help evacuees and local residents who sought shelter.
Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center welcomed residents of the Mobile campus of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries. The University of Mobile opened Weaver Hall to students, staff and residents of the community. President Mark Foley and others weathered the storm, with only minor damage to the campus (see story, this page).
The state’s Baptist churches also opened their doors, many in conjunction with the Red Cross.
In Calhoun Association, Sid Nichols, director of missions, called every church to ask them to be a Good Samaritan shelter for the Red Cross, according to Virginia Dingler, executive director of the Calhoun County chapter.
Appreciates Baptists
She said having those churches as shelters was a great help to the Red Cross. “We do appreciate the Baptist support and the things they do to build up the community. She added that at the moment, final numbers on shelters across the state were not available. “We have so many going now that it’s hard to get those numbers.” However, she added that if the statewide response to Ivan was like Frances and Charlie, “The Baptists were right in the thick of things.”
Thanks to Ivan’s quick weakening, the number of those seeking refuge was smaller than expected at many shelters. Mount Hebron Baptist Church in Elmore Association had prepared to take in residents, but member Phillip Hicks said that no one showed up.
On the eastern side of the state, several churches took in those who wanted to escape the storm. Heflin Baptist Church had about 25 who stayed Wednesday night, according to Pastor Phillip Morris.
He said many lived in mobile homes or homes surrounded by large trees, and several of the older ladies of the church came who did not want to ride out the storm in the church.
“We feel very fortunate,” he said. “People took seriously the warnings they got and tried to prepare.”
West of Tuscaloosa, Pickens Association offered shelter to some of the area’s Hispanics who live in mobile homes. Gary Farley, director of missions for Pickens, said about 30 took shelter at the associational building, while others found shelter at a local restaraunt and at the home of Marcus Marcusjinenes.
In the southwest, just north of Mobile, First Baptist Church, Leroy, opened its doors to take in residents Wednesday before the city’s 6 p.m. curfew went into effect.
Pastor James Watkins said operating as a shelter was a way to share Christ with the community. “It’s working together,” he said. “It’s very good community support.”
He said the church took in about 25–30 members and non-members to ride out the storm Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Churches in the southern part of the state also opened as shelters. Durant Chapel Baptist Church, Bay Minette, opened to residents, as well as First Baptist Church, Bay Minette. Pastor Henry Cox said the church would act as a Red Cross Distribution Center and as headquarters and food distribution center for disaster relief, if necessary.
At press time, between 125–150 Alabama Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers had been activated. Feeding units were sent to First Baptist Church, Robertsdale, and Escambia Association. The Birmingham Baptist Association feeding unit was stationed in Brookside. Other teams will do clean up and recovery and counseling. (TAB)
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