SUWANEE, Ga. — The Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s Financial Services Committee announced a special allocation of $500,000 dollars on Tuesday, Oct. 1, specifically to support Mission Georgia’s efforts to provide direct assistance to Georgia Baptist churches, impacted ministerial staff, and community support. In addition, the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation approved a matching grant of $500,000.

“I am humbled by the continued faithful giving of Georgia Baptists above and beyond this year,” said David Melber, chief operating officer of the GBMB. “The generosity of churches across Georgia and operational efficiencies have allowed us to allocate these funds.”

Steve Browning,  pastor of First Baptist Church Alpharetta and chairman of the Financial Services Committee, said that GBMB leadership “upon seeing the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene, saw the great need and immediately moved to allocate resources to help those hardest hit.”

Over the weekend, Browing said, committee members approved the funds for immediate use. “Because Georgia Baptists are so generous,” Browning said, “and the GBMB has run such a tight budget, the money was already in place. This is why we cooperate, so we can tangibly respond to needs and open the door to a gospel response.”

Melber is also quick to praise the Lord for his provision. “The Lord has been gracious,” he said, “to provide over the last several years to enable the GBMB to respond to this catastrophe.”

In addition, Melber said, “I am grateful for the Executive Committee members who comprise the Financial Services Committee who supported this allocation of funds. Their work in managing the Board’s resources and speedy action to approve these funds will allow us to respond quickly to the needs of our churches.”

Larry Wynn, executive director of the foundation, said the organization’s board voted unanimously to make the matching grant to support the GBMB’s response to Helene. “There was no hesitation,” he said. “Our board members are eager to help.”

W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the GBMB, who has seen the devastation and response first-hand, says supporting local ministries so they can help their communities is a priority. “The local churches know their communities best and know the best way to meet the needs. We’re grateful to have the ability to support them in their Kingdom work of meeting physical and spiritual needs.”

A GBMB Assessment Team is deployed throughout the affected area traveling from church to church to assess the impact on their properties. The team is organized by associations and is working diligently to attend to the needs of each church as quickly as possible.

The Assessment Team is gathering important details about the condition of their properties, their insurance policies, and their potential long-term need. 

The GBMB has allocated funds through Mission Georgia to provide for the repairs required to affected Georgia Baptist churches and homes of ministry staff. Specifically, these funds will be used to at least partially pay insurance deductibles if damages are extensive enough that a claim would be necessary.

As of Tuesday morning, 31 churches have been identified as being impacted by Helene to some extent, and the damage has been assessed. In addition, 16 pastors or church staff have been identified as having been impacted.

Meanwhile, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief continues to meet the needs of affected communities. Five feeding sites have been established at area churches, and meal preparation and distribution should begin today at all sites, pending the arrival of food supplies.

The GBDR response statewide is being coordinated by an Incident Management Team serving out of the GBMB office in Suwanee. All questions and communication flow from there to each site.

Several of the sites are being operated in partnership with other state Disaster Relief organizations which have sent resources and volunteers to support GBDR’s response. Additionally, GBDR is partnering with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to distribute prepared meals throughout the communities.

The sites are:

• Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta (in partnership with Kentucky & Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief)
• First Baptist Church of Alma (in partnership with Alabama & Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief)
• Fleming Baptist Church in Augusta (in partnership with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief)
• Southbridge Community Church in Statesboro
• Vidalia First Baptist

GBDR’s primary services include feeding, chainsaw/tree removal, and tarping. Once completely set up, shower services will also be available at all five locations.

Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga., lost power during the storm,

Anyone desiring to donate in support of the ongoing relief efforts of Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief should visit Mission Georgia and click on the “GIVE” link at the top right.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared in the Christian Index.)