Thai preacher reports on flood crisis
November 12, 2011
by Tim Arnold
BANGKOK, Thailand (BNc) — The most severe flooding in decades has hit Thailand. A humanitarian crisis looms over the major city of Bangkok, and outlying areas have suffered for weeks. The Thai government warns of the risk of water- and insect-borne diseases such as diarrhea, dengue fever, and malaria in the coming days and weeks.
Kim & Rebecca Voraritskul have been working for our Lord in northeastern Thailand for decades establishing congregations and training faithful servants to spread the gospel. In a letter sent Nov. 4 to supporters, they report that our brethren are suffering and in need of assistance. Their letter follows: Read more
American and Japanese churches feed disaster victims
November 12, 2011
ISHINOMAKI, Japan (BNc) – A group from the Mito and Park Avenue churches fed over 100 people housed in temporary shelters, following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11.
The group provided lunch outdoors Nov. 8. The goal was to serve a hot meal to these people and encourage them.
Temporary housing has been erected in various parts of the town. These are generally 2-3 rooms with a kitchen, bath, and toilet. They are fully furnished and are connected together in rows of about 8 apartments to each row. Read more
Fire causes damage at Paragould Children’s Homes
October 28, 2011
PARAGOULD, Ark. (BNc) — A fire damaged one of the cottage houses on the campus of Children’s Homes of Paragould Thursday afternoon, according to the KAIT-8 website and BNc sources.
Firefighters got the call at 4:15 p.m., and on arrival smoke could be seen coming from the structure, which sustained damage to a bathroom, attic, and bedroom. No one was injured. Read more
Elba Church Feeds the Hungry
June 30, 2011
by Glenda Williams, BNc correspondent
ELBA, Ala (BNc) — For years, the church in Elba, Alabama had a small pantry housed in a closet, but they were never able to feed the hungry as they do now.
Recently the church built a family-life annex complete with a spacious kitchen and dining area, classrooms, restrooms, and a large pantry. Located right behind the church building, the annex is convenient to the offices of the church’s minister and secretary. Although the new construction allowed them to continue dispensing food from the pantry to the hungry who came seeking, it didn’t take long for the church members to see the need to step up their efforts in feeding the hungry. Read more
Children take initiative to help Japan
June 28, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BNc) – Two children’s letters arrived with donations for Japan at the Park Avenue church. The letters speak for themselves. To borrow a biblical phrase, “a little child shall lead them.”
Click on the graphics to enlarge them, for better reading. Read more
Alabama storm relief efforts continue
June 17, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., (BNc) — The churches in the Birmingham, Ala., area have been using Facebook to help tornado victims.
Communicating together via a group called The Church Connection, they have been able to help with specific needs for tornado victims. They have also promoted their desire to help through the Pleasant Grove tornado Facebook group and the Concord tornado group. Read more
Donations fall for Japan relief
May 31, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BNc) – The Park Avenue church has received close to $600 thousand in donations for the Japan relief fund, according to Dwight Albright, missions worker with the congregation, in emails sent to BNc today.
These donations have come from 41 states, 4 foreign countries, and 1 territory.
From April to May, contributions fell almost by two-thirds, according to figures Dwight furnished to BNc. He assumed a gradual decrease in donations, but was hesitant to attribute it to needs arising from the destruction that occurred in the U.S., from tornadoes and flooding. Read more
Have we forgotten Japan?
May 28, 2011
SENDAI, Japan (BNc) – Teams continue clean-up work in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan Mar. 11, and funds still arrive for people to put their lives together, but the question bears asking if many have forgotten the enormity of the disaster in Japan in the weeks following the tragedy.
Hundreds have died in recent weeks from tornadoes and floods in the U.S., but in Japan the toll runs to over 15,000 confirmed dead and 8,600 missing. The total number of dead may top 20,000. Destroyed buildings number 125,000. Read more
Vilonia church of Christ Disaster Relief
April 30, 2011
Editor’s Note: The following is from a special website set up by the Vilonia church of Christ about their relief efforts.
by Marty Knight
VILONIA, Ark., (BNc) — Another day has drawn to a close and we were blessed with good weather in which to work. Let me begin by thanking the volunteers who poured in from ALL over the state of Arkansas. I won’t even begin to attempt to mention everyone for fear of leaving out some names. Suffice to say that churches of Christ from as far away as 200 miles were here early this morning and worked until they were ready to drop. The number of volunteers jumped significantly now that we have reached the weekend and that was expected. But, it was still overwhelming to see how much people care. THANKS!!! Read more
American churches, Christians suffer from tornados
April 28, 2011
SOUTHERN U.S. (BNc) – Christians and churches across the U.S. suffered from the tornados that left a wake of destruction in the past days.
Ricky Glass noted on Facebook that the Hackelburg Ala., church building is gone; the preacher and wife lost all they had, the town itself, demolished. Amy Hester wrote that Betty Lane, the preacher’s wife, is in the hospital at Hamilton.
The Bethel church in Athens, Ala., got hit as well, the church building is gone (photo, left), many members have lost their homes, according to one report. Read more




