Southern Baptist Convention entities are responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with pledges of funds and assistance.
Southern Baptist Convention entities are responding
to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with pledges of funds and
assistance.
The SBC Executive Committee has agreed to use all
Cooperative Program receipts above budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year
and for the first quarter of the new fiscal year to support disaster
relief efforts.
The overage normally is allocated to all convention
entities. However, the Executive Committee now will give 50 percent of
the surplus to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 25 percent to
the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and 25 percent to the
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana conventions.
The convention’s 2004-05 fiscal year closes Sept. 30. As of Sept. 20, the surplus already was $6.4 million.
The Executive Committee also voted last week to
suspend a convention bylaw that prevents one entity from making a
financial contribution to another so that doors could be opened for
unprecedented relief measures.
SBC International Mission Board President Jerry
Rankin said his trustees have agreed to allocate $2.5 million of
contingency reserve funds to disaster efforts. Though it may be risky
to transfer funds meant to assist international missionaries in cases
of emergency to assist in a domestic crisis, Rankin said the gift is
given with the knowledge that a large portion of churches that gave
that money to the agency are now in dire need. “We ask that you will
pray with us that the Lord will stay his hand on disasters overseas
(so) that we won’t need those funds until they have recovered in our
reserves,” he said.
Meanwhile, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
President Danny Akin presented a check worth $147,282 to New Orleans
Seminary for recovery efforts. The money was given by Southeastern
students and staff.
In addition, LifeWay Christian Resources of the
Southern Baptist Convention has set aside $6 million to be used by
Southern Baptists for disaster relief in the Gulf Coast, President
James Draper Jr. said. He reported that half of the amount already has
been distributed to Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana conventions.
Draper said LifeWay also is working to rebuild
pastors’ libraries by donating basic books and to replace lost Sunday
School material so churches that are able to hold classes will have
needed resources.
In addition, LifeWay is giving New Orleans Seminary
students $250 worth of textbooks and working with professors to help
them have the books they need.
SBC North American Mission Board President Bob
Reccord noted the labor of more than 5,000 Southern Baptist volunteers
are on the ground in the disaster region already was worth more than
$5.2 million as of last week, he said.
New Orleans Seminary President Chuck Kelley thanked
the leaders for their commitments and sacrifices. He said it now is
important for Southern Baptists to redouble efforts to make sure that
all of the entities do not fall short in budget funds at the end of the
year.