Olaton—Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief and the Ohio County Baptist Association’s Disaster Relief team were a part of many volunteers that responded to the tornadoes of eastern Ohio County. The teams aided in the repair of the roof of Cedar Grove General Baptist Church, which had been damaged by the storm.

“They could not have been more helpful,” said Larry Embry, pastor of Cedar Grove General Baptist Church, Olaton.

The tornado struck Ohio County on Tuesday afternoon. Both teams arrived by evening and began the cleanup efforts. They were tasked with clearing out debris, cutting down and hauling off damaged trees and repairing the church roof.

The relief efforts also marked the first time the Ohio County Baptist Association used their tarping trailer, which they purchased in April 2014. “We were fortunate to receive some financial assistance from the KBC Missions Mobilization Team as well as the state WMU,” said Matthew Sickling, director of missions for the Ohio County Baptist Association, with regards to purchasing the trailer.

Amazingly, Cedar Grove Church held Wednesday evening services the following night. Embry said it wouldn’t have been possible without the Disaster relief responders.

The Disaster Relief teams used roll tarps from the North American Mission Board as part of the roof repair. This allowed the church time to decide whether to replace the damaged shingles or to replace the entire roof.

“It is amazing that we were able to have a service the following night. God was definitely at work,” said Embry, “Without the disaster relief responders none of this would’ve been possible.”

Sickling, since becoming director of missions, has made it a point to become more involved in hands-on missions and ministry. “One of the ways I wanted to do this was through disaster relief,” explained Sickling, “I had several conversations with Elvis Brown and other members of our disaster relief team about this and they agreed.”

Coy Webb, Disaster Relief team leader at the Kentucky Baptist Convention, added “We were glad our teams could help people that were hurting, and for their ministering in the name of Christ.” (WR)