BGCO Rapid Response Assessors, Les Brown and Darrell Knapp, visit with home owners in Woodward about the need for assistance.

OKLAHOMA CITY—Within hours of the powerful storms that devastated communities in the state, Oklahoma Baptists’ disaster relief teams were on the field.

“By Saturday afternoon, April 14, in Norman, disaster relief teams had assessed 15 chainsaw jobs and teams were on the ground assisting homeowners,” said Sam Porter, Disaster Relief director for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO).

The BGCO volunteer force was quick to respond in Woodward, as well.

“An Oklahoma Feeding Unit set up to prepare meals on Sunday,” said Porter. “Assessors in Woodward reported 68 houses, 20 mobile homes, and 13 businesses destroyed. Chainsaw teams went to work quickly and are nearing completion of their work.”

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who declared a state of emergency due to the storms, visited Woodward over the weekend and saw firsthand the work of Oklahoma Baptists.

“The Governor saw firsthand the devastation,” said Porter. “But she also saw that Oklahomans in the faith community pulled together to assist in a great way.”

“In Oklahoma and surrounding states, it is not a matter of if storms and natural disasters will come. It is a matter of when,” said Porter. “The key is to have the right plan and people in place for when moments like these arise.”

“In the end, tragic times like these afford us the opportunity to offer real, tangible help and share our faith with those in a crisis,” he said.

For more information about the BGCO Disaster Relief ministry, visit bgco.org.

To make a donation to help with the Disaster Relief efforts in Oklahoma visit our donation page at bgco.org/donate

 

Here are even more photos from previous BGCO disaster relief efforts in Oklahoma and elsewhere.