“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41
The recent damage caused by Hurricane Helena has affected many areas that do not usually experience such destruction. The area of the Southern Region of the Covenant Brethren Church was such an area. We have much to be thankful for, as there was no loss to any of our Churches and none of our Church members suffered a loss of life. Our neighbors, however, were not so fortunate. There were over two hundred and fifty people killed, many still missing, homes, and buildings lost. So, for us, this is now an opportunity to minister to our neighbors. One of the jobs that God has given to the Church is to minister to the world.
Many inspiring things are happening. One of our Churches, Jackson Park Covenant Brethren Church, worked to set up a distribution site on their pastor’s property, (which is near one of the rivers that flooded). With the help of other Churches, and federal, state, and local governments, the site was working quickly to provide supplies, showers, hot meals, and spiritual help. The Churches moved their normal Wednesday Evening service to the distribution site. That night we had worship, giving thanks to God for Who He is. We heard testimonies and heartbreak, but all was given to the loving God we worship. We held a communion service for all believers; after that, we baptized seven persons into the Kingdom of God. God turns disaster into hope. We serve a mighty God!
We traveled to some very remote areas in the North Carolina mountains for the next few days. Help was slow to reach some of these areas, as many roads were destroyed. We did find a Church that had set up a distribution site and was reaching out to the community with all-terrain vehicles. We brought supplies to this site and attended their Wednesday evening worship service. The service was full of testimony giving thanks to God. That evening was filled with stories of heartbreak, tragedy, and pain. But, also comfort, as we know God is with us and God gives us the gift of fellow believers.
I want to remind everyone that such disasters happen continually around the world. I also want to remind us to keep giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name.
May God Bless You,
Scott Kinnick CBC Ex Board
