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Kentucky Baptists Conclude Flood Relief Efforts in Pike, Carter Counties
08/12/2010
Linda Jenkins, a member of Eastwood Baptist Church in Bowling Green, wears a mask to protect her from inhaling mold and other contaminants during a mud-out job in Pike County. Sixty Kentucky Baptist volunteers from across the commonwealth responded to the disaster in Pike County. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief) Click here to download this photo.
LOUISVILLE - In addition to ongoing work in Haiti, Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers recently served close to home following devastating floods in Pike and Carter counties.
At the close of a 10-day call out to Pike County, 60 volunteers had completed 23 jobs according to Harold Smith, who with his wife, Karen, served as a “blue cap” supervisor. Workers assessed damage, cleaned homes of mud and debris and removed damaged sheetrock. They also shared the gospel with several people.
“I have not seen a community come together the way this community has come together to help people,” Smith said. “Different churches up here have brought food in for us every day, and people are just so thrilled that we are here.”
Some of the local volunteers were members of Meta Baptist Church, which served as Kentucky Baptists’ headquarters during the call-out.
“It has really touched me the way this church and this community has come together to help those in need,” Smith added.
The Pike County project was unique in another way, he said. “On this particular trip we have had the opportunity to work with some Mennonites and just got to fellowship with them and have them over for lunch,” said Smith, a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shepherdsville. “They have used our shower unit, and we’ve had a good time fellowshipping with each other.”
Bill Johnson of Grayson unloads equipment that Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers will use to clear debris from a home in Carter County following recent floods there. Johnson supervised 30 volunteers helping residents of Olive Hill get back on their feet. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief) Click here to download this photo.
In Carter County, blue cap Bill Johnson said crews finished working Aug. 4 after completing 30 work orders in response to flooding in the Olive Hill area. Volunteers came from Somerset, Henderson and Alabama.
Through Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, more than 7,000 individuals have been trained to respond to natural and man-made crises with an array of services. Feeding units can provide thousands of meals on short notice. Volunteers in other units can move in with chainsaws to remove debris, remove mud from flooded homes and provide other assistance.
Kentucky Baptists are part of a larger network of Southern Baptist volunteers that comprise the third largest relief organization in the United States. To learn more about Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, go to www.kybaptist.org/dr .
Story by: Erin Roach, Kentucky Baptist Convention Communications
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2.400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more. For more, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
