WEST, Tex. (BNc) by Denny Wilson — Editor’s note: The following is written by the preacher with the nearby DeLeon congregation, who has been coordinating help through the West congregation.
Ten families from the congregation in West had their homes damaged or completely destroyed. Included in that group was the preacher. His house was three streets from the explosion. Continue reading
Tornado destroyed homes in Hattiesburg MS
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (BNc) — The congregation of Kensington Woods has helped over 2,200 people in the aftermath of the Feb. 10 tornado, preacher Mike Benson said today.
The tornado hit on a Sunday between 5:00-5:30 p.m. It left a path 21 miles long, causing 83 injuries, but no deaths. Two Mississippi counties, Lamar and Forrest, were hit.
Major damage and destroyed homes totaled in the hundreds: 340 homes in Forrest County, 220 homes in Lamar County. Continue reading
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: Continue reading
RALEIGH, NC (BNc) – The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Organization of Nashville, TN is to be honored on Sept. 17 at the Mid-Atlantic Evangelism Seminar in Raleigh, NC.
The national volunteer disaster relief organization, out of Nashville, Tenn., and supported by churches of Christ, individuals, corporations and other non-profit agencies nationwide, will be honored during the 38th Annual Mid-Atlantic Evangelism Seminar to be held at the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh Sept. 16-18th. Continue reading
BNc Commentary
by John T. Polk II
Paul said: “But as you abound in everything –- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us –- see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:7-9 NKJV).
The churches of Christ are noted for standing for the faith, speaking the truth in love, and loving Jesus Christ. But while the Neo-Sectarians among us are carving the brotherhood apart and stabbing brethren in the back at a distance, the boo-birds have decried how the churches of Christ aren’t doing anything and don’t know how to love one another. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BNc) – Elder Paul Goddard of the Park Avenue congregation reported today that they have now collected over US$90 thousand for the churches in Japan.
“We will be wiring it to Mito [the Japanese congregation] this week. Regions Bank has waved our fees for the transaction,” Paul said. Continue reading
An Oklahoma church long involved in Haiti gathers help for earthquake victims to be distributed through churches in the capital.
by C. J. Vires
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BNc) – Members of the Southwest church of Christ in Ada, Okla., have been involved in mission work in northern Haiti since the late 1970s and currently oversee the Cap Haitian Children’s Home (CHCH) and Haitian Widow’s Program.
We are thankful that both of these works did not experience any immediate damage from the earthquake. However, because of our experience in Haiti and the tremendous devastation, we feel that there is a need and responsibility for us to use our experiences in Haiti to help in coordinating a relief effort that provides targeted assistance to local congregations in the Port-au-Prince area. Continue reading
Editor’s note: The Judsonia, Ark., church has long been involved in humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The following email from minister John Kachelman relates to their efforts. For more information see the Judsonia church site.
Dear brethren,
Thank you for your responses and eagerness to help those in great need. In an effort to keep you updated on developments in the relief efforts that we are coordinating for Haiti I am sending you this information. As you work to collect items to help please be aware of how your efforts will bring glory to God through His Church. The efforts and energies of the local church will highlight to the community the practicality of the gospel! Continue reading
The Northeast church in Kingsport, Tenn., is sending aid directly to the church of Christ in Haiti. Donation information is included in this story.
by Sam Ross, Northeast church elder
Darrell Riley and I have been involved in the work in Haiti for over 20 years. The Northeast church in Kingsport, Tenn., where we are elders, is the sponsoring church for Jean Robert St. Hilaire, who directs the School of Preaching and is full-time minister for the Delmas 43 church of Christ in Port-Au-Prince. Continue reading
by Randal Matheny
O
linda, BRAZIL (BNc) — The Peixinhos church, located in the city of Olinda on Brazil’s northeast coast, is sending aid to Haiti through the state military police organization.
Haiti suffered a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Carlos Eduardo Vilas Boas, said today on the Facebook social network that the congregation will work with Lieutentant-Colonel Ricardo Santos to send the supplies. Continue reading
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BNc) — As relief efforts pour into quake-stunned Haiti, many churches are wondering how they can help.
Hope For Haiti’s Children
Terry Tripp of the Center Hill church in Paragould, Ark., informed BNc that there is a foundation, primarily Church-of-Christ sponsored, called Hope For Haiti’s Children (HFHC). HFHC is a program of sponsorship to fund education and health benefits for Haitian children. Continue reading