DALLAS — Members of the First Baptist Church of Dallas are proactively reaching out to help fellow Texans who are caught in the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Pastor Robert Jeffress believes the most effective way to help is by joining with proven relief organizations to provide the desperately needed assistance. “There is great synergy when organizations partner together rather than independently developing their own plans,” Jeffress noted.
Pastor Jeffress, who has been invited to Houston to encourage area pastors next month, explained what motivated him and his church to take decisive action. “I saw an interview this morning on television of a Houstonian out in the floods, helping those around him in desperate need. When asked why he was risking his safety, he replied, in essence, ‘I just couldn’t sit around and watch this catastrophe happening on TV and not do anything.’ Nor can we, which is why we are supporting the real heroes—those making a difference on the front lines through a fourfold strategy.”
- Support First Responders
We have chosen to partner with trained First Responders through Texas Baptist Men. The organization was founded by a member of First Dallas, Bob Dixon, in 1968 and had its very first meeting in our church. Since that time, over the last 50 years, the Texas Baptist Men have responded to every major disaster in Texas. We are also partnering with the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention, a trusted long-term partner. We are encouraging people who want to give to donate to these two organizations as they support relief efforts. Many of our own church members are on their way to help under the auspices of these organizations.
- Send Reinforcements as Soon as Possible
First Dallas is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse, an organization led by Franklin Graham, a long-time friend, whose father Billy Graham, was a member of First Dallas for 50 years. Through the Samaritan’s Purse volunteer relief program, teams comprised of 15 members each will go down and help in cleanup efforts as soon as the disaster declaration has been lifted. We plan to form as many teams as possible and send our people as soon as we are able.
- Supply Emergency Provisions and Materials
Locally, First Dallas is partnering with Trusted World, a leading Dallas-based organization providing needed donations to evacuees from the storm in the City of Dallas and Dallas County. The organization is also in need of drivers to collect and drop off donations. A full list of needed donations can be seen at www.trustedworld.org. Donations can be dropped at their primary collection point located at 15660 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75248. We are also contacting the Red Cross to determine other ways we can provide aid locally, including the possibility of a blood drive in the very near future.
- Serve with First Dallas Mission Teams
We recognize that this disaster has already created long-term effects that will not be solved in a few weeks or a few months. We desire to partner over the long haul to help with relief efforts. Once the water recedes, we intend to form teams to send down to Houston and South Texas for support, church clean up, help with shelters, and rebuilding. Toward that end, Salem Media has invited Dr. Jeffress to come to Houston next month to bring a message of encouragement to pastors who are ministering to others.
Pastor Jeffress also had these words of encouragement for those devastated by Hurricane Harvey: “In the midst of disasters like Harvey people invariably ask, ‘Why would a loving God allow such a horrific catastrophe?’ In the Old Testament, Job asked the same question after losing his children and possessions in a series of catastrophes. Interestingly, God never answers Job’s ‘why’ question, but instead tells Job to trust that He knows what He’s doing. Even when we can’t always see God’s hand, we can always trust God’s heart. God has a plan He is working out, even though in the darkness we cannot always see that plan.”
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Dr. Robert Jeffress is a best-selling author of 24 books, a nationally and internationally syndicated TV and radio host and the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, one of the largest and most influential churches in America. Pathway to Victory, Dr. Jeffress’ broadcast ministry, airs daily nationwide on more than 900 radio stations and is broadcast live to 195 countries. His newest book, A Place Called Heaven: 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home, will release September 2017. Dr. Jeffress serves on President Trump’s Faith Advisory Council.
Website | www.ptv.org www.firstdallas.org
Twitter | @robertjeffress Facebook | Dr. Robert Jeffress
Texas Baptist Men has a mission to assist Texas Baptist Churches as they lead men into a “Love” relationship with Jesus Christ that will thrust them and their families into a lifestyle of missions and ministry that fulfills the Great Commission. Texas Baptist Men operates in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention: Baptist General Convention of Texas and associations; Southern Baptists of Texas and associations; and with other Great Commission Christians.
Website | http://www.texasbaptistmen.
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention has a mission to
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Reach Texas by starting new churches, strengthening church ministries, and joining with ministry partners to provide resources for local churches.
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Touch the world by joining with the Southern Baptist Convention, working with SBC partners to strengthen churches, and highlighting the priority of worldwide missions.
Website | http://sbtexas.com/evangelism/
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Website | https://www.samaritanspurse.
Trusted World is a global organization working to connect supply with need. We are committed to providing the best resources, for free, to people or organizations locally, nationally, and internationally who are providing services on someone else’s behalf such as teachers, police officers, case workers, and counselors.
Website | https://trustedworld.org/
The American Red Cross of the North Texas Region empowers people to become survivors. Our compassionate volunteers care for and support our friends and neighbors who face the worst moments of their lives due to disasters. The Red Cross in North Texas works with the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent network to serve our neighbors down the street, across the country and around the world.
