Church of God Heartland Region Administrative Bishop M. Darrell Rice has sent the following update on the tornado that ripped through Oklahoma on Monday.
Dear Partner in Ministry,
The devastation across parts of Oklahoma is heartbreaking. Families have lost everything – their homes reduced to splintered wood and hissing gas lines in a few seconds. We are on the ground responding with help and assistance. Many of you have inquired asking for information and volunteering assistance. Therefore, I wanted to give you a quick update and perhaps answer questions you may have.
Trucks from Operation Compassion, God’s Pit Crew, and Church of God Chaplains Commission began arriving today with water, food, blankets, tarps, cleaning supplies, cots, etc. for the relief effort. We received confirmation – thanks to the influence of Pastor Vernon Carter – from Feed the Children and the Oklahoma City Food Bank of their partnership and commitment to provide food and supplies.
Here is what is planned for the next few days:
• Unloading the trucks at Southern Hills Church of God. We need 15 volunteers to help tomorrow (Friday, May 24). Contact me via email if you can be at the church by 9:00 a.m. and I will forward your information to the Volunteer Coordinator.
• Chaplains Commission will begin their mobile feeding stations tomorrow. They have the capability of serving up to 8,000 hot meals a day. Once we determine their need for volunteers we’ll pass along that information and invite your involvement.
• Assessment on Friday by God’s Pit Crew leaders to determine a plan of action to assist tornado victims in home repairs, removing fallen trees and debris, etc.
• Unloading trucks Saturday at Southern Hills. At this time, we have sufficient volunteers for this task.
• Unloading truck Tuesday, May 28, at Cross Connection Church of God in Shawnee. To volunteer contact Pastor Ken Kerbo at kerbo1958@yahoo.com.
Response Team
Today we met with various leaders to make specific assignments. You will be interested to know who is responsible for the various aspects of the relief effort:
• Pastor James Jones – Primary Staging Center Coordinator at Southern Hills Church of God (1029 W. I-240 Service Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73139).
• Pastor Vernon Carter – Product Coordinator. Pastor Carter has experience in dealing with various agencies locally and across the nation that provide water, food, and other products for the relief effort. He will also assist with volunteer deployment.
• Lavon Jarvis – Initial Coordinator of Volunteers. Lavon is with the Chaplains Commission and has a wealth of experience in disaster relief and will be extremely valuable in assessing the need for volunteers and facilitating the best use of their time and talents. If you desire to volunteer individually or bring a team please contact him at 205 541-9951. Pastor Cameron Jones will be assisting him in serving the volunteers.
• The local coordinating committee consists of each of the above, plus myself and Pastor Greg Garvie.
The Church of God has set up a site for those who wish to give in this time of crisis. All funds donated will go directly to assist the tornado victims. Visit www.churchofgod.or [1]g, click on the disaster relief graphic and click the donate button.