The Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund is supporting Free Methodist relief teams to become the hands and feet of Jesus to Texas residents suffering from the flooding and other devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey — the strongest storm to hit the U.S. mainland in more than a decade.
“The Free Methodist family has the opportunity to pray, give and go to Texas just as we do around the world,” Bishop Matthew Thomas said. “Thanks for whatever God leads you to pray, give or go and do.”
Donations for direct relief should be sent to the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund at fmcusa.org/bfund. The fund is the first line of rapid response to aid Free Methodists affected by natural disasters, famine and persecution. It is a means for the U.S. church to provide immediate, focused assistance through our church’s local, international and missions infrastructure.
The River Conference represents the Free Methodist Church – USA in coordinating the Hurricane Harvey relief effort and assigning the work teams. The conference has created two teams in response to the hurricane’s havoc. The Volunteer Mobilization Team — led by Dan Lincoln —coordinates the volunteers working to rebuild and serve the affected areas. The Financial Distribution Team — led by FMCUSA Board of Administration member Melinda Matzdorff — oversees all donations received while working closely with the Volunteer Mobilization Team to help provide all necessary supplies and funds to accomplish their mission.
On Sept. 6, Lincoln and Pastor Jose Segura dropped off two truckloads of supplies and visited three River Conference churches in the Houston area. They also stopped by Eagle Lake Church (90 minutes from Houston and the coast) to assess its storage capacity as Pastor Sameniego opened up his church to be a drop-off point for supplies.
The Volunteer Mobilization Team is receiving donations. Some have even come in the form of Walmart or Target gift cards as a means to get supplies. In five days, God provided a team of people to lead this relief, a truck to haul supplies, finances to start meeting the needs, and a location to drop off truckloads and donations. Lincoln said the team “can’t wait to see what else is coming to bless those in need.”
If anyone would like to serve on the teams providing relief in Houston/East Texas, email The River Conference Office at admin@theriverconference.org.
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