Alabama Baptist Convention State Board of Missions
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Great Commission Ministries

Haiti Disaster Relief Update 

 
 
To contribute by check, make payable to: State Board of Missions, Attn: Accounting Services, P.O. Box 11870, Montgomery, AL 36111-0870. Mark checks "For Disaster Relief." Contributions are tax deductible.
 
POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10:
The Color of Buckets: What Does It Matter?
     FROM MEL JOHNSON (disaster relief strategist): I am overwhelmed by the great response and support that our associations and churches have provided to those in need resulting from the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. As you know, our state conventions have been challenged to respond in a coordinated effort to bring hope and much needed supplies to these families in crisis. You are aware that the North American Mission Board has launched a nationwide “Buckets of Hope” campaign to help make help our witness for Christ address both physical, and more importantly, spiritual needs in the affected areas of Haiti.
White Buckets: Difficult to Purchase
     As a result of the overwhelming response to this effort, I need to communicate an urgent and very important change that NAMB has had to make. It is quickly becoming apparent that white five-gallon buckets are difficult to purchase. This is due to a nationwide run on the white buckets that were specified in the original build sheet from NAMB.
     Though I have communicated the need to be consistent to all of our churches and associations requesting the use of “white buckets only,” NAMB has since had to change their original request to allow other colors of buckets to be used. Quite simply, the supply of white buckets has been overrun by demand.
     This shortage issue is a direct result of the strong support from our churches and associations across the state. The new instructions now posted from NAMB allow for other colors to be used stating only that, “Buckets without logos or other commercial imprint are preferred.”
     Please accept my apologies for any confusion this may have caused. Trust that actions taken were based on the best information available to us. It is our hope that this change from NAMB will help relieve some of the struggles our churches are facing as they secure buckets.
     Thank you again for your efforts. Only glory will reveal the extent of your ministry and leadership as Alabama moves forward to accomplish this Great Commission ministry.
POSTED ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5:
$100,000 to Florida
     FROM RICK LANCE: Thanks, Alabama Baptists, for your generous gifts to the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund. Because of this, we mailed today a check for $100,000 to the Florida Baptist Convention which continues to be the frontline strategic group for Southern Baptist disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
Pray for the Teams
     Please also be praying for two Alabama Baptist disaster relief teams that are departing soon for Haiti. One is a two-member Water Purification Team that will leave on February 6, return on February 14.
     The other group is a Medical Team consisting of three doctors, three nurses and a chaplain. They will leave on February 9 and return on February 17.
     All these team members are highly trained, but they will all covet your prayers. Only the Holy Spirit can truly equip them for the ministry that lies before them in the days to come. Pray for their safety, effectiveness and strength as they minister in Haiti under the flag of the Great Commission.
POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3:
 
BUCKETS OF HOPE
FROM MEL JOHNSON:  Alabama Baptists are taking part in a hands-on opportunity to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti through 'Buckets of Hope.' 
• Packing Video
Shipping fees:
When collecting the $10 shipping fee per bucket, we prefer you and/or your church to collect the monies from each person who fills a bucket and make ONE CHECK payable to “STATE BOARD OF MISSIONS”. Be sure to write “Buckets of Hope” on the check memo line.  The check should be delivered to the site coordinator with your completed buckets.
Collection dates: March 4-5 (8:30 am - 5:00 pm)
POSTED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2:
HELP BRING "CHANGE" TO HAITI
     FROM CANDACE McINTOSH: Hey GAs, RAs and CiAs!  During the next month, let’s show Christ’s love to the people of Haiti by collecting our “change” to help with needs.  
     When the earthquake hit the city of Port-au-Prince, people were hurt badly, lost their homes and have no
way to provide for their families.  So, let’s collect our “change” and bring “change” to the lives of the children
and adults of Haiti!     
Getting Started:
1. Leaders decide who will be involved in collecting “change” for Haiti. You may choose to have the children of the church collect monies or involve the entire church initiated by the children.
2. Determine a start date and end date.  Monies should be sent to the State Board of Missions by March 15, 2010.
3. Choose what type of container you will use to collect coins.  If you choose to make this a friendly competition between boys and girls, determine how you will designate your containers.
4. Have children prepare posters, flyers and/or banners announcing the plan and place them in strategic areas around the church.
5. Collect monies.  Recognize the children and monies collected. Pray over this financial gift asking God to use these monies to “change” the circumstances of the people of Haiti.
6. Once monies are collected and counted, send ONE CHECK in the amount collected made payable to the State Board of Missions, in the memo line write “Help Change Haiti” and mail to:
      Alabama State Board of Missions
      Help “Change” Haiti
      PO Box 11870
      Montgomery, AL 36111
All monies will go directly to the Haiti Disaster Relief.  For more information, contact Lynne Ray with Alabama WMU at lray@alsbom.org.   
Download a pdf file with this information for printing here.
POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27:
IRS & Alabama Department of Revenue Updates
     FROM BOBBY DuBOIS (associate executive director): Congress recently passed legislation that the President signed into law which provides: "Any donations for 'relief of victims in areas affected by the earthquake in Haiti' received between January 12, 2010 and February 28, 2010 may be claimed as a charitable deduction for income tax purposes in either 2009 or 2010, but not both."disaster relief logo
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=218678,00.html?portlet=7
     The State of Alabama has also made similar provisions:
http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2010-01-27-01-haiti.asp
     Thank you, Alabama Baptists, for your gifts to the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund – 100 percent of which are being used to help the people of Haiti.
     Southern Baptists are virtually alone among relief organizations in being able to devote 100 percent of funds given to the relief effort. We take no expenses off the top.
     This is only possible because of generous gifts through the Cooperative Program, which takes care of what are often called “administrative expenses.”
     We are grateful for all organizations working to help the Haitians. You can be confident that the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund is a worthy channel for your church’s gifts as well as for individual donations.
POSTED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 25:
     FROM MEL JOHNSON (disaster relief strategist): We are continuing to strategize about the most effective way to help Haiti next. Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, and Barbara Owen from the Global Missions Office, returned today from a trip to Florida’s Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center.
A Strategic Meeting
     While there, Candace and Barbara met with Haitian-American leaders who live in southern Florida and who belong to Haitian-American churches affiliated with the Florida Baptist Convention.
     This information Candace gleaned in dialog with these Florida Baptist leaders will be used as we plan additional ways to help the Haitian people.
A Prayer Need for Tuesday
     Let me mention another prayer need regarding a meeting that will take place on Tuesday.
     A Southern Baptist Disaster Relief assessment team will meet for debriefing and a strategy session in Hialeah, Florida, tomorrow. This team, which consists of several of my counterparts from across the SBC, has just returned from Haiti.
     Pray that during tomorrow's meeting that they will have clarity of thought and wisdom from our Lord on how Southern Baptists can best help the people of Haiti.
The 100 Percent Assurance
     In the meantime, please continue to know that 100 percent of your gifts from the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help the Haitian people.
     We are continuing to work with Florida Baptists and to forward funds to them for their frontline work in Haiti. To date, your State Board of Missions has sent more than $110,000 for this effort.
     Stay tuned to this Web page for further updates. Once tomorrow's meeting takes place, we believe more specific ministry plans can be crafted for new and effective ways Alabama Baptists can help Haiti.
     In the meantime, please consider generous gifts to the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund as described at the top of this page.
Thanks!
     Thanks also for your gifts through the Cooperative Program, which ensures that 100 percent of gifts to the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help the people of Haiti.
POSTED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22:
PRAYER REQUEST FOR CANDACE McINTOSH:
     FROM RICK LANCE (executive director of the State Board of Missions): Please pray for Candace McIntosh who is on a fact-finding trip to Florida. She will be consulting with Haitian Baptist women regarding ministry to refugees who will arrive after clearance from federal authorities. Candace and the Alabama WMU are valued partners in our efforts to help the people of Haiti. They also work alongside us in our ongoing efforts in state missions as together we assist Alabama Baptists with Great Commission Ministries!
POSTED ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 21:
     Today your State Board of Missions sent an additional $60,000 for Haiti relief through the Florida Baptist Convention. This is possible because of your generous giving through the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund. Thank you, Alabama Baptists, for caring about the people of Haiti. Thank you also for supporting missions globally, nationally and statewide scale through the Cooperative Program.
POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20:
FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RICK LANCE:
     During the past couple of days, I’ve spoken with my counterpart in Florida, Dr. John Sullivan, who leads the Florida Baptist Convention staff. We brainstormed about ways Alabama and Florida Baptists can partner together even beyond the financial connection described elsewhere on this special Web page.
     John and I spoke about the ongoing challenge of gaining access to Haiti so that we can deploy significant personnel and resources for onsite ministry to the people of Haiti. You can be certain that disaster relief strategists from across the SBC, especially in Florida and from NAMB, are working on this virtually every day.
     We believe strongly that this vital access must be a matter of intense prayer by all Southern Baptists, and we call on especially Alabama Baptists and Florida Baptists to make this a top prayer priority.
New Opportunities for Ministry
     In the meantime, John raised my own awareness concerning what will quickly become a high ministry priority on U.S. soil -- namely that Florida will soon be receiving an influx of Haitian refugees who will themselves need ministry after arrival.
     Florida Baptists are preparing to minister to refugees notably in the Miami area. In addition, plans are being made to host up to 100 Haitian orphans at the Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center in Leesburg, Florida. This is pending their clearance to enter by federal authorities.
     John Sullivan and I have agreed that we will encourage Florida Baptists and Alabama Baptists to help care for the orphans who will be housed at Lake Yale for up to five months. Florida Baptists have a strong track record and ministry experience in refugee resettlement.
Everyone Can Pray
     Even before the earthquake in Haiti, Baptist leaders have habitually spoken of praying, giving and going. As I've noted before, prayer of course must be the first priority and is most important. Every believer can pray for the people of Haiti and for those who minister to them in their homeland and at remote points of refuge.
Some Can Go
     Going will also be possible for a number of Baptists who travel either to Haiti or to key points in Florida. We hope soon to have details to announce in the days ahead about where this deployment will be needed and what kinds of skills and gifts will be needed by the volunteers who go.
Everyone Can Give
     Giving, even a little, should also be likewise possible for all Christians. Our initial appeal has been for funds, which is certainly the most effective way to have maximum impact because 100 percent of disaster relief funds received will be used to help the people of Haiti. Administrative costs are provided through the Cooperative Program, which has already put in place the Florida Baptist Convention staff as well as state missionaries at Alabama's own State Board of Missions. 
New Ways to Give
     The significant news here is about a new phase of giving that will be announced soon. Both John Sullivan and I have tasked key individuals from our state missions staffs to determine how Alabama Baptists and Florida Baptists can help provide key needs of, at first, Haitian refugees and eventually Haitians in their homeland once ports are rebuilt and air traffic restrictions lifted.
     From our experience here in Montgomery, it is evident that Alabama Baptists are eager to help. Churches have responded with generosity in the form of disaster relief offerings given through the State Board of Missions. In addition, we are receiving a brisk and intense wave of e-mails and telephone calls asking, "How can we help beyond money? What else can we give?"
     We are eager to announce ways to do just that once details are worked out by our staffs. I wish I could tell you the details right now, but I do want to assure you that we've heard the heartcry of Alabama Baptists who are eager for hands-on missions opportunities and for opportunities to share life's goods with those in need.
     Stay tuned to this Web page, and bookmark it. Initially we will announce the information here and almost immediately afterward make it available through a variety of other media, including Facebook, Twitter, e-mail epistles and reports in The Alabama Baptist.
Thank You, Alabama Baptists!
     Thanks, Alabama Baptists, for continuing to support missions through the Cooperative Program, which provides this Web site and more importantly enables your state missionaries to assist Alabama Baptists with Great Commission Ministries.
POSTED ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 19:
     A two-person Florida Baptist Convention assessment team arrived in Port-au-Prince on Sunday. They are in the process of determining how Southern Baptists can meet needs and provide assistance to the residents of the earthquake-damaged city.
     That information is being relayed through the North American Mission Board's daily conference call with disaster relief directors in state conventions across the SBC.
     The team now in Haiti consists of two Florida Baptist Convention (FBC) employees: Dennis Wilbanks (Partnership Missions) and Joseph Gaston (Language Haitian Church Development) While in the Haiti airport, Gaston, a native of Port-au-Prince, led a Haitian woman to faith in Christ.
     Wilbanks directed the FBC’s disaster response in Haiti after five previous hurricanes.  In preparation for the response, the FBC has purchased 21 tons of rice to be transported to Miami and readied for shipment to Haiti.
     Wilbanks reports that the Convention-owned mission house is severely damaged but may be useable.
     John Sullivan, FBC executive director, declared: “This will be among our first rebuild priorities, because it will allow us to facilitate construction teams and clean up crews much more quickly.”
     The house, located in Port-au-Prince between the airport and city, will be the base of operations for the Convention’s relief efforts. The mission house sleeps nearly 50 volunteers at a time and provides food and safety for mission teams traveling into Haiti.
     “We anticipate having a word this week about our churches in Port-au-Prince as well as our pastors’ homes,” Sullivan added. “These are our brothers and sisters serving Christ in this difficult nation.”
     Wilbanks will be working with seven national missionaries serving in Haiti as employees of the Florida Baptist Convention who have been reported to have survived the earthquake. They are believed to be assessing damage within their churches and communities.
     “These men have been trained in disaster relief by the Florida Baptist Convention,” Sullivan explained. “They know their country, their people and have experience responding in the aftermath of hurricanes. We are grateful to God that they are safe and are there to minister to the Haitian people.” 
     Two other FBC staff -- Craig Culbreth (Partnership Missions) and Fritz Wilson (Disaster Relief and Recovery) -- are scheduled to travel to Haiti today.
     Florida Baptists’ 15-year partnership with Haiti Baptists has resulted in the starting of 892 congregations across the nation.
     Florida Baptists are using every dollar of each disaster relief contribution to secure food and humanitarian assistance.
     Alabama Baptists are pleased to partner with Florida Baptists in their frontline leadership in the Haiti relief effort. We will continue to forward donations through the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund to the Florida Baptist Convention's Haiti relief efforts.
     Please see the instructions at the top of this page on how to donate by check or credit card.
POSTED ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 17:
Update on Credit Card Donations:
     On Sunday, Alabama Baptists and other online donors continue to demonstrate generosity for the Haiti Relief Effort. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, 58 individuals have given a total of $4,483.73 via our new PayPal (credit cards) feature. Thank you for helping with this vital Great Commission effort!
Prayer Needs for Haiti Relief Effort
     State Missionaries Mel Johnson, Alabama Baptist's disaster relief strategist, and Rick Lance, executive director, report the following prayer needs related to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) efforts in Haiti:
     1. The initial assessment team is grounded and unable to enter Haiti due to suspended air travel. ETA for the assessment team is expected to be Monday provided air travel is restored. PRAY THAT SAFE ACCESS WILL BE GRANTED ON MONDAY FOR THE ASSESSMENT TEAM TO ENTER HAITI AND BEGIN ITS VITAL WORK.
     2. At this point no SBDR personnel have been deployed from any state. Best estimates for volunteers to deploy will be 10-14 days and will only take place after military secures the area and adequate assessment has been completed. PRAY THAT ACCESS FOR FEEDING TEAMS AND OTHER SBDR VOLUNTEERS WILL TAKE PLACE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AND THAT THE U.S. MILITARY WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN HELPING SECURE THIS ACCESS.
     3. SBDR teams from Florida, Kentucky and Mississippi will lead out in a predetermined rotational schedule. A 16-person feeding team from Alabama is on alert, along with the Alabama Baptist Airlift Kitchen, will deploy promptly when given the word after initial teams complete their work. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FIRST TEAMS TO DEPLOY ALONG WITH TEAMS FROM ALABAMA AND OTHER STATE CONVENTIONS.
     4. We continue to receive reports from across our state of Alabama Baptist churches planning to take disaster relief offerings today (Sunday) to help earthquake victims in Haiti. Please encourage your church to strongly consider giving through the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund. As noted below, we have already sent $50,000 to the Florida Baptist Convention, which has had a strong missions partnership in Haiti for the past 15 years. As we receive additional disaster relief offerings, we will continue to forward funds to Florida Baptists. Why? Because the Florida Convention is providing the key leadership in the Haiti relief effort. PRAY THAT OUR LORD WILL MOVE IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE TO PROVIDE GENEROUS FUNDING FOR DISASTER RELIEF IN HAITI.
     5. A pleasant and welcome surprise has been the success of donations to Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief through credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover). Using the popular PayPal service, this represents the first time your State Board of Missions has received DR donations in this fashion. We thank those who are participating. As of Sunday morning, 46 individuals have contributed a total of $3,302.00 in disaster relief for Haiti. PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL LEAD MORE TO CONTRIBUTE SO THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL BE HELPED AS ALABAMA BAPTISTS, FLORIDA BAPTISTS AND OTHERS MINISTER IN HAITI DURING THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO COME.
 POSTED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 15:
     A check for $50,000 has been sent from Alabama Baptist disaster relief funds to the Florida Baptist Convention (FBC).
     Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), affirmed the FBC, which has developed a strong ministry in Haiti over the past 15 years.
     "Florida Baptists, under the leadership of my counterpart John Sullivan, have worked with Haitian Baptists to plant 890 churches," Lance said. "The Convention has 21 employees in Haiti who minister as mission leaders and as facilitators for visiting mission teams.”
     As additional donations are received, the State Board will forward funds to be used in the Florida effort.
     “There’s no doubt that the Florida Convention is best poised among Southern Baptists to provide key leadership in helping Haiti,” Lance observed. “They are definitely running point and in the forefront of what Southern Baptists are doing to assist Haiti.”
     Lance noted the Florida Convention will work alongside the North American Mission Board as Southern Baptist volunteers and resources are deployed to Haiti over the weeks and months to come.
     Anyone who would like to give financial support to help victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, can either donate by clicking above or sending a check made payable to: State Board of Missions, Attn: Accounting Services, P.O. Box 11870, Montgomery, AL 36111-0870. Mark checks "For Disaster Relief."
     The State Board will work through its international ministry partners to see that all disaster funds are used as effectively as possible. Contributions are tax deductible. 
POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13:
     Alabama Baptists are ready to assist with disaster relief efforts in Haiti where a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean island nation on Tuesday.
     Mel Johnson, disaster relief strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), has placed 16 trained volunteers on alert to deploy to Haiti as quickly as possible.
     “We are working with Baptist Global Response and the North American Mission Board on exactly when to deploy our Alabama Baptist volunteers,” Johnson said. “Once we have the word, they will be ready to respond promptly.”
     In addition, Johnson noted, the SBOM has placed its Airlift Kitchen on alert to go with the volunteers, all of whom are trained in operating the self-contained resource.
     “The Airlift Kitchen can serve up to 3,500 meals daily and is designed to be transported aboard either military or commercial flights,” Johnson said. “It includes a water purification unit, cooking equipment and other hardware needed to provide safe, nutritious meals in a disaster relief setting.”
     Rick Lance, SBOM executive director, noted the political situation in Haiti is challenging, so the initial response has been “government-to-government.”
     “While the U.S. military has been among the ‘first first’ responders, we are monitoring the situation in Haiti closely and will be among the first civilian responders in terms of disaster relief,” Lance stated. “When alerted and called out, we move into action with human resources and food services.”
     Johnson noted he is also working with contacts at the Florida Baptist Convention which has had a partnership with Haitian Baptists for several years.
     “They will be able to provide invaluable insights about specific needs based on many years of ‘on-the-ground’ experience in Haiti,” Johnson said.
     Anyone who would like to give financial support to help victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, can either donate online by clicking the link at the top of this page or by sending a check made payable to: State Board of Missions, Attn: Accounting Services, P.O. Box 11870, Montgomery, AL 36111-0870. Mark the check "For Disaster Relief." The State Board will work through its international ministry partners to see that all disaster funds are used as effectively as possible. Contributions are tax deductible.