On September 18, 2003, David Phelps, the Atlantic Baptist Association director of missions, received a phone call he’ll never forget. “We need any and all help,” exclaimed the pastor of Sealevel Baptist Church as he stood in waist-deep floodwaters during Hurricane Isabel.
And that help came. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supplied trailers for refugees of the floodwaters, the North Carolina Baptist Men provided meals and began rebuilding storm-ravaged homes, while committing to spiritual aid as well.
The Baptist Men worked with the Atlantic Association and its churches, and their willingness to do whatever it took to bring the region back rubbed off on everyone, Phelps said. Lives were touched with gospel presentations and hundreds of Bibles were distributed. Churches, like Atlantic Missionary Baptist, located in the hardest hit parts of the association, saw a new ministry opportunity to reach out and help those in need. The church started a handyman ministry to the assist community members.
“We get into the mold of going to church on Sunday and leaving it in church on Sunday and the week is a different world. God has impressed upon me and our people that we need to be the head, heart, and hands in the world,” said Eddie Brookshire, pastor Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church.
The North Carolina Missions Offering funded the North Carolina Baptist Men’s work in eastern Carteret County. “The state missions offering revitalized our community,” said Phelps.
Pray for NC Baptist Men Disaster Relief Ministry: