Two SCBaptist Disaster Relief (SCDR) units are serving alongside multiple other states to help residents in Oklahoma this week. Serving from South Carolina are the chainsaw units from North Trenholm Baptist Church (Columbia Metro Association) and the Kershaw Baptist Association.

The SCDR units are in Claremore, just north of Tulsa, OK. The EF3 tornado that hit Claremore was the fourth tornado response for OK DR within four weeks.

The North Trenholm unit reports that on their first day of work they served at the home of an elderly resident with a hired caregiver. The caregiver said that when the tornado was coming through, he realized that he didn’t know where he would go if he died in the storm. A team member shared the gospel, and the caregiver gave his life to Christ on the spot!

On another day when the North Trenholm team finished their work at a home, they presented the resident with a Bible as DR teams always do. As they talked, the gospel was presented, and that homeowner also accepted Christ as Savior! We praise God for these new believers!

Jack, a local carpenter in Claremore, saw all the trailers and equipment at the church where the DR teams were staying. He stopped by the church to offer his help. Assigned to work with the Kershaw Association unit, Jack brought his tractor to lift and move the pieces of the huge trees as they were cut. That was a blessing to the team as well as a blessing to Jack. One team member said, “He was touched by what we were doing and was thrilled to be able to be a part of it.”

Baptist DR units give priority to helping those who are elderly, disabled, have long-term illnesses, or who serve others, such as first responders or ministers. The Kershaw Association unit reported on Wednesday, “The homeowners today were very grateful for the help. One was battling stage 4 ovarian cancer, and one was a preacher.”

Please pray for these and the other residents of Claremore, and for the DR volunteers serving there. If you would like to learn more about Disaster Relief or how you can become a trained volunteer, or to donate in support of SCDR ministry, please click the link below.