While serving with a mission construction team, a friend of mine volunteered to install light switches. I was not sure that my friend had experience in electrical work, and so, in a few minutes, I went to check on him. I found him standing in a puddle of water, as he was working with the... Continue Reading →
So I Sought for a Man
Within North America, one of the greatest pockets of lostness is men. Sixty-one percent of men across our culture do not profess a personal faith in Christ and another thirty-three percent are characterized as cultural Christians. Recent studies identify less than six percent of American men as Biblical believers. However, if dad is the first... Continue Reading →
Finishing Strong
I penned these words as I sat in a rest area on my way home from a hard trip to Michigan. This was a weekend of storm for our Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief family. The whirlwind came without warning on a dark, Friday afternoon. A tragic vehicle accident occurred for two disaster relief volunteers, who... Continue Reading →
Is Your Church Ready?
Disasters often strike with little warning, and no community is beyond the reach of natural or man-made catastrophes. Because of this, a church must plan on how to respond to disasters, large and small. Studies indicate that most businesses, organizations, and churches fail to prepare for any kind of disaster event. For the church, this... Continue Reading →
Seeking Those Who Can Do
General Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote this in 1942 during the Second World War, "This is a long road we have to travel. The men who can do things are going to be sought out just as surely as the sun rises in the morning." We have witnessed a continuous erosion of morality and ethics in our... Continue Reading →
Ten Ways the Church Can Respond in Times of Disaster
What is a disaster? A disaster is any occurrence that causes suffering and creates human needs that cannot be alleviated without help. Disasters can occur at any moment and in any place. Here are ten ways that your church can minister, if disaster strikes your community: Pray for those affected. God can do far more than any of... Continue Reading →
Get Trained
As America watched footage of the devastation in Moore, Oklahoma and the incredible loss in the flooding that swept across Colorado, many people were moved to pack up and be a part of the recovery efforts. As a State Disaster Relief Director, I often get calls from spontaneous volunteers wanting to serve, and it troubles me that I am unable to use these... Continue Reading →
Shepherd God’s Flock
As a young pastor, I wanted to change the world, change the church, and change people's lives. I am now late in my ministry, and have come to realize that I cannot change the world, the church, or people. God is the only one who can change and transform all things. As shepherds of the flock, our... Continue Reading →
Kilroy was Here
As a boy, I often remember seeing "Kilroy was here" crudely written on interstate overpasses, restroom walls, and desks. This American cultural expression traces its roots back to World War II, when this graffiti began to appear almost anywhere that our troops had passed. Last year, Kentucky Baptists left their mark in the streets of New York... Continue Reading →
Light in the Darkness
Since the year 2000, we have witnessed a multitude of record breaking disasters across the globe. From killer tornadoes to life-shattering earthquakes, from massive tsunamis to mega-storm hurricanes, disasters are dark times of pain and loss. Disaster Relief is neither simple, nor easy. It can be complicated, messy, and difficult. Disaster work can be frustrating and heart-breaking. Through... Continue Reading →