Georgia
Eastside Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia, recently raised $17,000 to help families pay off medical debt. Partnering with the nonprofit organization RIP Medical Debt, the church saw those funds escalate, with an average of one dollar paying off $100 in medical debt. In Marietta alone, $1.25 million in medical debt will disappear for 575 families, The Christian Index reported. Altogether, more than $2.9 million in medical debt is being cleared for 1,516 families.
Florida
After twin tornadoes tore a 4.6-mile path of destruction through Deland, Florida, on Aug. 18, seven Florida Baptist disaster relief teams, along with additional volunteers from Stetson Baptist Church, responded by covering roofs with tarps and removing downed trees, the Florida Baptist Witness reported. The 120 volunteers completed their work on Aug. 26. “These tornadoes are another unfortunate stamp on a difficult and challenging year for so many already suffering,” said Dan Glenn, senior pastor at Stetson Church.
Louisiana
More than 70 Baptist Campus Ministries students from LSU, along with 15 adult volunteers, have responded with chainsaws and Christ’s love to those whose homes were damaged by the fierce onslaught of Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27. The BCM team included 15 international students from seven countries, Louisiana’s Baptist Message reported.
Mississippi
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief teams have recently deployed to southwest Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura’s destructive path in late August. Teams deployed include a feeding team and four chainsaw/debris removal teams. These teams are working alongside other relief organizations and Baptist disaster relief teams from other states. Mississippi Baptist leaders anticipate the need for additional teams will be ongoing, Mississippi’s Baptist Record reported.
Tennessee
Pandemic-related decisions by local school districts on whether to have in-person school or virtual learning have inspired Tennessee Baptist churches to find “creative new ways for reaching, teaching and ministering to kids and families,” said Vicki Hulsey, childhood specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Among other options, some churches are exploring having trained educators available to students during school hours, offering before- and after-school care or opening up rooms for study space, Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector reported.
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