April 29, 2011
Following the recent outbreak of tornados throughout the Southern states, Alliance chaplains are on the scene in several areas in order to help and encourage victims of the storms. Chaplain Rich Gorman, the Spiritual Response Team coordinator for the Red Cross National Disaster Response Team, is in Alabama, where more than 200 people were killed and thousands left homeless. Chaplain Gorman is well acquainted with serving in the midst of disaster, as he participated in the 9/11 chaplaincy team and has been involved in national disaster response teams several times during the past nine years.
Alliance Chaplain Paul Northcut with Cross and Shield Ministries in Russellville, Arkansas, is in nearby Vilonia, where tornados leveled the community of 3,800 and killed four. “So much pain and destruction,” says Chaplain Northcut. “So many families experienced overwhelming loss. Pray that God will use these situations to draw folks to Himself. Pray for us, as chaplains, that we would have wisdom, protection, and provision and that we will be the hands and heart of the Lord to the victims.”
Frank Smith, relief director for the Southern District, says, “As far as we now know, no Alliance structure was damaged and no person in the district churches had major losses, but several family members of people in our churches did.
“The district is assessing what the [Alliance] response would best be, so that we can minister in a manner that most effectively uses the limited resources we have available to us. We must depend upon the One whose resources are limitless, and we must be good stewards of what He gives us to use.”
Smith, who coordinated Alliance relief efforts in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina decimated the Gulf Coast, added, “This is a great opportunity for the Church to do what it should do best-represent the love of Christ in a tangible way to many hurting people.”
What You Can Do
Pray for Alliance chaplains as well as local Alliance believers who are providing relief aid as well as encouragement to victims of the tornados.
If you would like to help, beyond prayer, contact the Southern District office at [email protected] or Frank Smith at [email protected]
Learn More
Read about Alliance relief and development work after Hurricane Katrina.