OKLAHOMA CITY—Hours after he learned of the destructive wildfires in Colorado, Sam Porter, Disaster Relief Director for Oklahoma Baptists, left Oklahoma to Colorado to help give shape and strategy to the much-needed response.
“Our trained volunteers continue the work in Oklahoma, but we are going to respond to our neighbors in need,” said Porter, who has led the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s (BGCO) vast volunteer disaster relief operation in nearly every major disaster throughout the nation and globe since the May 1999 tornadoes.
In 2012, Porter and his fellow Oklahoma Baptists helped Colorado after wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes. Baptist crews included chain saw teams and “ash out” teams that cleared destroyed home sites. Porter anticipates his teams will help in similar ways in Colorado now.
“We will finish the job here in Oklahoma while we serve Colorado in the name of Jesus at the same time,” added Porter.
Since the May tornadoes in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptists have served nearly 200,000 meals, cleaned more than 1,000 home sites, offered spiritual counseling by chaplains and offered financial assistance to storm victims, according to Porter.
The BGCO’s Disaster Relief ministry is accepting tax-deductible donations online atwww.bgco.org/donate or by phone at (800) 690-6933. For photos, information and updates, visit the Oklahoma Baptists’ blog at www.okdisasterhelp.com.