Flood Victims Lose Property, but Gain Christ

Ohio volunteers spent several days last week preparing to work alongside Disaster Relief Mud Out teams from Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana. The towns of Wapakoneta and St. Marys, located 90 minutes north of Lebanon on I-75, endured flooding after heavy snow and rains. Numerous lives have now been reached with the gospel because of the almost 50 volunteers who traveled to meet the needs of these victims.

I am always glad to be a small part of a disaster response. The benefits of being part of a team that seeks to bring the hope of Christ to hurting people has great personal rewards. But even greater is the knowledge that the destiny of souls will be altered forever because of the sacrifices made.

Take a moment to read the National Disaster Relief Update article that can be found at the following link: http://www.namb.net/Disaster_Relief_Update_March_16_2011/ . The "Ohio Flooding" segment gives a synopsis of the deployment. The Activity Report (at the bottom) includes in part the Professions of Faith, Ministry Contacts, Gospel Presentations, Mud Out jobs, Showers, and Laundry. A percentage of these statistics were the result of this Ohio deployment. I will add that the total professions of faith for this week was 7. The individual who had the joy of leading these 7 to salvation was Larry Randolph, who, until moving to nearby Bellefontaine, was a member of Urbancrest. Larry and his wife Sylvia (who leads Ohio Child Care) have been sowing seeds in Bellefontaine and other places since they moved. Wapakoneta is one of those towns. It has not been easy and they have given up comfort to be obedient to God.

But seeing the gift of evangelism bear such fruit this week was simply beautiful. I can't help but rejoice with those who reap a harvest where they have sown. Nonetheless, Larry would be the first to say it was possible only because of the coordinated efforts of a team. In the ministry of Disaster Relief, the Lord takes many workers and makes them one. And when we choose to give ourselves to the helpless, the result is the glory of God through the body of Christ.

Mick & Wanda Lovely
Urbancrest Disaster Relief