Beginning Friday night, December 10, and continuing into the early morning hours of Saturday, December 11, significant storms producing multiple tornadoes ripped through at least six states: Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee. As of this writing, there are over 80 confirmed storm-related deaths, 74 of those in Kentucky alone, ranging from 2 months to 98 years old, with over 100 people still missing. Among the most significant damage includes an occupied candle factory in Kentucky, an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, and a nursing home in Arkansas.
Thankfully, to our knowledge, no BBFI churches were directly impacted by the storm. Several BBFI churches are already in the process of providing relief efforts to help others in their state. BBFI Communication Director, Randy Harp, has been in contact with pastors across Kentucky, hearing stories of both tragedy and hope. Harp also reports, “I have spoken with pastors from coast to coast wanting to help. Several are ready to send financial assistance, and some have already loaded up trucks and trailers and are driving to Kentucky.” Gary Phelps, the pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, KY, has agreed to be a point person to help direct efforts on behalf of the BBFI. The BBFI Mission Office can also receive funds to help churches impacted.
If you, or your church, would like to give, here are two options:
Oak Hill Baptist Church … https://oakhillbaptist.com/giving. Designate funds to “Tornado Relief.”
BBFI Mission Office … https://donate.bbfimissions.com. Scroll down to “Special Projects” and select “Disaster Relief.” You can also send a check to the BBFI Mission Office and designate it for “Disaster Relief.”
