Baptist and Reflector
Bethpage Baptist Church suffered “a total loss” from the storms that hit parts of Tennessee on Dec. 11.
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptists disaster relief units have been dispatched across the state to provide assistance to those affected by the tornadoes and straight line winds that tore across Tennessee and several nearby states during the early morning hours of Dec. 11.
The storms resulted in dozens of deaths and numerous injuries.
One DR team team — a quick response unit — is now stationed in Samburg, where the team is feeding survivors and responders.
Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, noted that Samburg was among the hardest hit by the storms, with roughly 80 percent of the city receiving damage.
The Dresden area was also ravaged by the storm and DR teams are in action there.
Wes Jones
“The West Tennessee teams are working really hard to assist homeowners in Dresden,” said Jones. “There is so much clean up needed there from the damage left by the tornadoes.”
DR teams are also working on clean-up and recovery in the Middle Tennessee area, and Jones noted that DR teams are on standby to assist in Kentucky “when needed,” he said.
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said Dec. 13 that he had been in touch with Jones, noting that “our people are very busy in the most devastated regions of Tennessee. We have very competent DR personnel who have responded with energy and passion.”
Those interested in offering financial support to the Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief effort across the state can visit tndisasterrelief.org. Click the Give Now button, and 100 percent of the gifts will be used to help storm victims. None of the donations are used for administrative overhead.
More storm coverage can be found at baptistandreflector.org. B&R — This article contains reporting from Lonnie Wilkey and David Dawson of the Baptist and Reflector and Baptist Press.
