(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated May 28.)
North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM) disaster relief volunteers are responding to a request from the Oklahoma Baptist disaster relief team for assistance in the wake of the May 20 tornado that hit Moore, Okla.
About 50 NCBM volunteers are working in Moore to help survivors recover the few personal belongings that remain in the damage. According to reports from the field, 70 projects have been completed since the team arrived last week. Two professions of faith have been reported.
Three skid steer teams, each consisting of 3 to 4 volunteers, began arriving in Oklahoma May 23. Skid steer teams specialize in debris removal requiring the use of heavy equipment.
“We are sending three pieces of heavy equipment, Bobcats, to begin the cleanup of debris in the city of Moore, Oklahoma,” said Gaylon Moss, NCBM volunteerism coordinator, as teams began to arrive. “All team members have heavy equipment and disaster experience and will be able to assist however they are needed.”
Richard Brunson, NCBM executive director, said additional disaster relief teams are prepared to respond in Oklahoma if needed. He thanked N.C. Baptists for their support of disaster relief missions and asked all N.C. Baptists to pray for the victims and volunteers.
“North Carolina Baptists have been blessed with over 14,000 trained men and women volunteers and lots of equipment that can be used to minister to hurting people and to glorify God,” Brunson said. “Pray for the teams and the people they will assist.”
For more information about NCBM disaster relief efforts in Oklahoma and how you can help, visit www.baptistsonmission.org/oktornado.