Christian Organizations Helping amidst recent natural disasters

Over the past several weeks, numerous natural disasters have wreaked havoc and destruction across the nation. People have lost their houses, cars, possessions, animals, and countless lives have been lost.

In Alabama, the media has reported that over 342 lives have been lost; however, officials in the state have told us that there are many more fatalities that have not yet been reported, along with a number of people who are still listed as missing. The media is also not showing pictures and shots of the worst devastation in order to try to allay some fears.

The stories are the same in Mississippi and Arkansas. Families are still without power over a week later; a number of citizens have no place to stay and even those who have families in other states have no vehicles to get them there; parents are still searching for children and families are trying to reunite with those they've been separated from; etc. The devestation is literally unbelievable in these areas.

But you can help. There are a number of organizations that are getting in the community and being the hands and feet of Christ, offering the aid that's needed, with the proceeds going directly to fulfilling the needs of the victims.

Benevolence and rendering aid to our fellow man has always been one of the key principles in Biblical, God-fearing societies. In fact, John Adams told us:

[C]hristian benevolence makes it our indispensable duty to lay ourselves out to serve our fellow-creatures to the utmost of our power.

Daniel Webster also believed the principle of the Good Samaritan laid out in the Gospels:

Let the religious element in man's nature be neglected and he becomes the creature of selfish passion. The cultivation of the religious sentiment incites to general benevolence.

One of the groups following the Biblical principle of giving aid to those in need is Samaritan's Purse. They are on the ground in Alabama and Mississippi, offering assistance to the victims and helping to begin the rebuilding process in the destroyed communities. You can make a donation to them online or offer your time through volunteer opportunities.

In Arkansas, you can donate to Christian Ministries Church based in Hot Springs, AR (when you go to their website, the first banner at the top is a link to the disaster relief donation page). They've already begun the cleanup process, with crews from the church going out in bulldozers to clean debris from the properties, people taking chainsaws to clean up the trees and smaller debris, families offering housing to those who are without, etc. You can donate to them online as well through the link above, or by directly visiting the donation page.

There is much need and if there is anything you can do to help (monetary donations, time, blankets, food, clothes, etc.), please contact Christian Ministries Church, Samaritan's Purse, or even the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Please remember to pray not only for the victims and families impacted by these horrendous disasters, but also for those who are on the ground, offering assistance. And if you are able, please lend aid to our fellow citizens who are in need!

Thanks for joining us in prayer! Blessings!