Floridians give generously for tsunami relief

JACKSONVILLE (FBC/FBW)—Florida Baptists have opened their hands generously to the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. According to International Mission Board officials, $290,089.69 has been received from Florida Baptists earmarked for the relief work in Southeast Asia.

That figure includes $150,000 given to the IMB from the Florida Baptist Convention.

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Florida Baptist churches and individuals have sent $93,569.19 through the Florida Baptist Convention Accounting Department, which is forwarding the money to the IMB on a weekly basis. A portion of that money may be included in the IMB totals for the state.

“We’ve just been overwhelmed by the response,” said Ritchie Lipscomb, who directs the department handling financial receipts at the board. A unit which normally has two people recording receipts had called in four temps and gotten help from other work units. Even the board’s treasurer took his turn opening mail and receiving checks.

In December, Florida Baptists gave $37,959 to the effort. January 26 receipts totaled $252,130.36.

Fritz Wilson, director of the Florida Baptist Men, attended a special IMB disaster relief briefing Jan.18-19.

“The IMB continues to do work throughout the Southeast Asia area, taking a long-term recovery approach that will ensure the work will continue after the media spotlight has dimmed on the area,” reported Wilson.

“Just as we experienced from the 2004 hurricanes, this will not be something the people will recover from overnight. It will take time,” he added. “It’s exciting to see Florida Baptists respond in such an open-hearted way. It is especially gratifying that many of those who have given are victims of the hurricanes and are now providing assistance to Southeast Asia victims.”

Among the churches most active in fund-raising for tsunami victims are congregations who experienced the devastating effects of Florida’s 2004 hurricane season.

The buildings of First Baptist Church, Lake Worth, suffered $1.6 million in damages during two hurricanes. The church has not been able to meet in its sanctuary since August, according to Harold Nowell, minister to senior adults, and several members of the congregation have yet to see insurance adjusters to settle their own property losses.

Nowell said the Lake Worth congregation, described as inner-city working people, sympathizes with those in South Asia who have momentous needs.

“Our people know what it’s like to lose things,” Nowell said.

When pastor DeWitt Mathews and the church received word of the tsunami in Asia, they began a special fund to help the victims. The fund continues to grow while the church continues its ministries in the community. Nowell talked with Florida Baptist Witness while stirring a 30-gallon pot of soup for the church’s weekly lunch for the homeless.

First Baptist, Lake Worth has a personal connection to the Asian disaster. International workers who attended the church while in the States are now in the disaster zone. In a recent e-mail, they described the devastation as perhaps having “the greatest impact on our world since the Great Flood of Noah’s day.”

First Baptist Church, Milton, also has a personal link to the needs of tsunami victims. An international relief worker in the affected area grew up in First, Milton, and spoke during the congregation’s Lottie Moon emphasis in December. Although 33 church families lost their homes and hundreds of homes were damaged by Hurricane Ivan in September, the congregation met its Lottie Moon goal, and experienced a record month in giving in December, according to pastor David Spencer. Now the congregation is collecting funds for tsunami victims.

“I believe our church understands sacrificial giving and the importance of missions,” Spencer said. The church has made a commitment to become an Acts 1:8 church.

On a recent Wednesday evening, the Mission Friends collected pocket change for tsunami disaster relief that amounted to $574.72.

“That was their expression of love for the children affected by the tsunami,” Spencer said.

First Baptist Church, Ocala, was one of several Florida Baptist churches that, within hours of the tsunami, included information on tsunami disaster relief on the churches’ Web sites. Most provided links to the International Mission Board Web site, which not only told how to contribute to disaster relief, but also provided news from the affected area.

As Ocala teenagers and their leaders saw news photos of the devastation, some were reminded of their own experiences in cleaning up after hurricanes in Florida, according to Scott Clark, First Baptist’s minister to students.

“The difference, of course, is that we only had trees down, and we did not have lives lost,” Kite said.

The youth, with the leadership of Cyndy Hoffman, whom Clark calls “a spark plug,” began planning a car wash fund raising event for tsunami victims.

A fundraiser by profession, Hoffman asked others in the community to assist in the effort. Local restaurants donated food because, according to Hoffman, “you have to feed a teenager.” Car-related businesses donated supplies for washing the cars and a printer donated tickets.

Dozens of teenagers braved Florida-frigid temperatures Jan. 23-24, to wash hundreds of cars and raise $4,100 to send to the IMB for tsunami relief.

“We believe that when people need something, that’s our calling,” Hoffman said.

Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa was active in disaster relief after Hurricane Charley, and is now extending a hand to East Asia. The church began accepting tsunami disaster relief funds almost immediately after becoming aware of the need.

While some in the congregation made plans to go personally assist in the relief effort, others made financial contributions. Pastor Ken Whitten, a member of the International Mission Board, encourages “church responsibility that extends across the world,” according to Reno Zunz, minister of missions and family care.

“It’s easier to get to Punta Gorda than to Sri Lanka, but we can give and we can pray,” Zunz said.