“You Came From Georgia to Help Us?”

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“You came from Georgia to help us?” Lakewood’s Disaster Relief team hears that question in one form or another over and over from people that have been devastated by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and fires. Our people, along with thousands of other volunteers that work with and through Samaritan’s Purse see first hand the ruin that these tragedies leave in their wakes and the lives they destroy.

In the midst of this destruction Jesus sends our ministry to be His hands and His feet. To lift whatever burden we can off the shoulders of those that don’t know where to turn next. Our light shines before others in hopes that what we do will bring glory to Jesus and our Father in heaven.

We go to help clean up the homes, yes; but our primary reason for being is to minister to the homeowners. God works miracles in the midst of these awful situations. We used to ask ourselves, “Is it worth losing everything to find your salvation?”

Of course, it is. This is why our Disaster Relief ministry is part of the Missions Department at Lakewood. All of our work is done in a massive mission field every time we deploy. It’s our goal to determine the spiritual status of every homeowner we serve, and if possible, help them find Jesus if necessary.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” I Peter 3:15

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm, slammed into Mexico Beach, FL, on October 10, 2018. Three and a half weeks later Lakewood Disaster Relief made their first deployment. We were all shocked at the level of devastation. The city was erased, but lives were erased as well. Most people that lived there had blank stares and one-word answers. Our first work order was for a prominent resident by the name of Paul. He was a builder. Most of his life’s work was sucked away into the Gulf of Mexico, and what wasn’t was lying in rubble around a town no one could recognize.

Paul had the tidal surge of 20’ go over the top of and through his home. There was seaweed in the ceiling fan on the second floor of his house. The house was 400 yards from the Gulf. Paul was nearly sucked out a window that night. Although not a ‘religious’ man, he knew God had saved him that night for some reason.

Over the course of two days, we got to know Paul and asked him if he knew much about the Bible, or Jesus. He did not. Those conversations, with help from Billy Graham Association Chaplains, led to Paul accepting Christ. He prayed that afternoon to join the family of God.

The chaplains returned the next day to visit with Paul. When they left and offered to pray for him, he refused… he wanted to pray for us.

That’s why we’re part of the Missions Ministry at Lakewood.

We have been blessed over the years to have witnessed dozens of salvation experiences that have occurred because of these horrible storms. God never wastes an experience.

Join us and experience the joy we have on a daily basis.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalms 127:1

Our Disaster Relief ministry doesn’t stop with cleaning up the destruction. We also have teams of volunteers that go out in association with Samaritan’s Purse and help build houses for those that have lost everything. No skills are necessary. Just a heart to serve Jesus and love someone that has no place to live.

We also have a local ministry where we try to meet needs of church members and the community with small projects around the house for those unable to accomplish the tasks for themselves.

Please pray about your involvement in these ministries. Talk to anyone associated with the Disaster Relief Ministry and give it a try.