Bethel team ministers after disaster strikes
By Arthur McLean Editor

PHOTO SUBMITTED Members of the Bethel Baptist disaster response team cut down trees killed by the flood waters of Hurrican Katrina in New Orleans, La.

The Bethel Baptist Association in southwest Alabama has created a disaster response team, and it has already put on the miles in helping others.

Vicki Weaver said the churches felt the need to find a way to minister to others after severe storms. "It was after Hurricane Katrina that we began to see a need for something like this around here," she said.

The team began training from the state in Chilton County in July 2006.

"We watched those people hurting and we wanted to help, but discovered you can't just go down there, you had to have a group and training, so Dr. Bobby Harper started organizing the team," she said.

The 35 churches in the organization started to band together and purchased a trailer for taking the equipment to areas hit by storms. They also received help from area businesses and individuals.

Their first trip was Nov. 26 to New Orleans, La. as part of Operation NOAH (New Orleans Area Home) to help remove storm debris from around people's homes.

"Almost as soon as we came back, a tornado hit Demopolis," Weaver said, so the group traveled there to help. In February, they went to Mount Vernon, Mo. After that area was devastated by an ice storm.

Beyond lending a helping hand is an aspect of ministry. "We don't just go to cut down trees," Weaver said. "We try to minister to people and to share the gospel. The Bible teaches us to be involved and to minister."

The Bethel Baptist team is part of the larger Southern Baptist Disaster response organization, one of the largest in the nation.

Their motto is "Serving Christ in Crisis."

There are nine members of the disaster team, and they are hoping to recruit more. They are also still seeking financial aid to help with their mission and ministry.

Those wishing to help can send support to Bethel Baptist Association, Disaster Relief Fun/Chainsaw Team PO Box 481088 Linden, Ala. 36748.

The group thanks the following sponsors: Irby's AC, Wanda's Salon, Lewis Pest Control, Dozier Hardware, McNider Marine, Union Grove Baptist Church, Dixon's Mills Baptist Church, Caraustar, Gardner ACE Hardware, Little Drug Company, Thomaston Baptist Church, Buds n Bows by Minnie, Gary Wise, Mike Ledkins Insurance, Tim Watts Jewelers, Southern Gas & Supply, Jackson Home Supply, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Wayne Baptist Church, Men II Sunday School Class - Fairhaven, Family Medical Center, D&S Industrial Supply, Gibbs & Sellers, Aimwell Baptist Church, Rangeline Baptist Church, Lamison Baptist Church, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Nelson Pepper, Don Parsons, Providence Baptist Church, Jefferson Baptist Church, Lifeline, Signtech, Calvary Baptist Church, Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Scott and Wanda Brunson, Bobby and Brenda Nelson, Pine Hill Excavating, Bank of Pine Hill, Lower Dixie Timber, Anna Marie's, Alabama Wholesale, Jackson & Son, Thomasville Saw, Lowe's, Linden Baptist Church, M.J. & Denise Lapeyrouse, Denise Leonard, Worthwhile Club, First Baptist Church Demopolis.

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