SBTC Disaster Relief moves to Texas

LA PLACE, La.–After 24 days of operations in Louisiana, the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention Disaster Relief has suspended its meal operations to New Orleans and surrounding areas in order to minister to the victims of Hurricane Rita.

“We will be transferring the operations of meal preparation over to local Baptist churches to work under the leadership of the Salvation Army,” said Bill Davenport, Director of Disaster Relief and on-site commander.

During the three weeks of ministry of disaster relief ministry, dozens of salvations were recorded, hundreds of gospel tracts and Bibles were distributed and thousands of prayers were lifted up for victims.

In all, nearly 1.1 million meals were served to survivors, rescue workers, soldiers and police from Aug. 31 through Sept. 23 at shelters, food stamp lines, neighborhoods and military posts from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.

Specifically, a total of 11,100 tracts and 1200 Bibles were distributed, 45 professions of faith were made and more than 300 volunteers came to serve in Disaster Relief in the New Orleans area under Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

“We want to give our heartfelt appreciation to the First Baptist Church of La Place and Parkview Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. We also thank the Church of the Highlands and members from nine other churches which helped us make about more than a quarter of a million sandwiches. The sandwich brigade has been successful and something we will continue in Texas.

“The volunteers were the cream of the crop. Their focus was solely on the Lord and serving the Lord. I believe we’ve had an impact on Louisiana and also on the Salvation Army. We have gotten the people.”

As Davenport was taking down the signs of Salvation Army and SBTC ministering together, he was asked how he felt about leaving the disaster relief in Louisiana. Looking out over the compound, Davenport said, “I’d love to be leaving…but for a different reason.”

Disaster Relief for Hurricane Rita is tentatively set up for College Station as of Sept. 22, where Davenport again will be the on-site commander.