Florida relief donations total $1.4 million

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—The Florida Baptist Convention has received more than $1.4 million in disaster relief funds for victims of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. The total includes designated and undesignated gifts and a contribution of $300,000 received from the North American Mission Board’s disaster relief fund.

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Also included is a separate $200,000 grant from the Christ Is Our Salvation Foundation for use in a special church loan fund, which now totals $577,365. At last count, 234 Florida Baptist church buildings were damaged from the four storms that swept through the state this hurricane season.

The interest-free loan fund was also supplemented by $31,367 in gifts from targeted Florida Baptist churches. These churches responded to a special plea from John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, who asked the largest Florida Baptist churches to contribute $1,000 toward that loan fund. Many congregations responded to the need, several surpassing the requested amount.

The loan is also funded by $200,000 from the Florida Baptist Convention’s Reserve Funds and $150,000 from the undesignated disaster relief funds.

According to a report issued by the New Work Assistance Department, which is handling the disbursement of that special loan, already 26 Florida Baptist churches have received loans totaling $582,118.

During its Sept. 24 meeting, the State Board of Missions approved the distribution of $677,000 in relief assistance which included the use of $153,000 in direct cash assistance to storm victims and pastors, $509,000 to be used in the rebuilding efforts and $15,000 to help repair pastor’s homes. Another $100,000 also was allocated in church staff salary assistance.

In related news, Brenda Forlines, director of the Church and Community Ministries Department, reported that a portion of that funding was for needed supplies for the distribution of commodities, including groceries, baby products and personal hygiene products. More than 37,692 persons were assisted with emergency supplies during the four hurricanes.