Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers responded to 18 events in Tennessee, throughout the United States and in different locations outside the U.S. in 2019, according to Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Those responses do not include a number of responses done locally by DR volunteers, he added. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Carolyn Watson holds the award presented to her recently by News 2 in Nashville and Hyundai of Cool Springs, but she is quick to point out “it is a team award.”
CLARKSVILLE — The tornadoes that swept through Clarksville in late October were not even over before Carolyn Watson’s phone was ringing.
Not only in Middle Tennessee, but throughout the state, Carolyn Watson and the disaster relief team from Cumberland Baptist Association are known for their quick response to disasters where chain saw and flood/fire recovery are needed.
Her involvement in disaster relief has kept her close to home as evidenced by two responses in Clarksville just this year as well as sending her all over the United States and literally around the world, including a trip to Japan after a major tsunami caused mass destruction eight years ago.
Watson was honored by WKRN-TV (News 2) in Nashville in November as a “Hyundai of Cool Springs Hero.” Once a month, News 2 and Hyundai honor a public servant “who goes above and beyond the call of duty.” [Read more…]
Disaster relief teams from Tennessee, as well as Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri, are continuing to clean up trees and debris following straight-line winds that caused extensive damage across the state in late October. Teams are still at work in Clarksville, Waverly, Decatur and Adamsville, according to Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He estimated more than 225 jobs have been completed but many more are still to be done. For more information, and to find out if teams are still needed, contact Jones at 615-371-7927.
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams are needed in the aftermath of weekend storms that left major damage throughout West and Middle Tennessee.
“We have a lot of damage across the state from the Alabama-Mississippi lines all the way through Clarksville and surrounding counties,” said Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He added that at least 14 counties reported damage.
Most of the damage was done by straight line winds of up to 70-75 miles per hour, Jones reported. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief flood recovery teams are still serving at First Baptist Church, Huffman, Texas, in the aftermath of tropical storm Imelda. Volunteers have seen six professions of faith since their work began.
Imelda dumped about 40 inches of rain on southeast Texas (from Beaumont to Houston) last month. An estimated 4,000 homes were flooded, said Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Jones said volunteers will be needed at least through the end of October. Volunteers interested in serving can contact him at wjones@tnbaptist.org.
By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has been asked to send flood recovery teams to First Baptist Church, Huffman, Texas, located on the north side of Houston, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Imelda.
Imelda dumped about 40 inches of rain on southeast Texas last week. An estimated 4,000 homes were flooded, said Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — After several days of wondering if and when Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief would be called on to respond to Hurricane Dorian, Wes Jones made it official on Sept. 6 when he notified leaders across the state that all units are “standing down.”
A feeding unit from Sullivan County had been deployed to New Bern, N.C., but was recalled before they had traveled very far. [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: Continue to monitor baptistandreflector.org for the latest updates on Hurricane Dorian and Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief.
Baptist Press
Tropical Cyclone Track Forecast Cone and Watches/Warnings and Initial Wind Field — Graphic from www.nhc.noaa.gov
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Hurricane Dorian finally completed its pounding of the Bahamas on Sept. 3. After intensifying to a Category 5 before devastating the islands, Dorian weakened to a Category 3 as it continued its slow trek toward Florida. Early reports describe the damage as historic, and five deaths had been reported in the Bahamas.
Baptist Global Response (BGR) has purview over the Bahamas and will be assisting with disaster relief efforts once the storm passes and damage assessments have been completed. Jeff Palmer, executive director of BGR, said he is in contact with the Bahama Baptist Convention and the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have been placed on alert status for possible deployment to Florida in response to Hurricane Dorian.
As of Aug. 29, Hurricane Dorian was a Category 1 storm but is on course to be an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm if it makes landfall on the eastern coast of Florida early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center. [Read more…]
By Ashley Perham
Baptist and Reflector intern
WARSAW, N.C. — The Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions makes it possible for Tennessee Baptists to pass the torch of service down to the next generation through intergenerational missions.
“For almost three years now, Tennessee Disaster Relief and The Baptist Collegiate Ministries in Tennessee have begun to work together to respond to disasters. We know that students have the desire to help,” said Wes Jones, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board disaster relief specialist. [Read more…]
