HUMBLE, Texas—When First Baptist Church of Humble, Texas, found itself with two feet of water filling the sanctuary, they made the decision to go from a “disaster site” to a “disaster relief site,” with the help of churches like Forks of Dix River Baptist Church in Garrard County.

“When Hurricane Harvey hit the area of Houston, FBC Humble was one of the first churches in their area to rise to the occasion to provide relief to their hurting community,” Cole Caven, pastor of Forks of Dix Baptist Church, said. “But as the flood waters continued to rise in their area, their church became a disaster site itself as flood waters filled up their church campus.”

“But knowing Pastor Barry’s heart for people, and for the community of Humble, they didn’t allow their own disaster to discourage them for serving their community in Jesus’ name. They stepped up to the challenge of cleaning up their own church campus, while continuing their focus of being a ‘HUB’ for the community of Humble,” Caven continued.

He added, “That kind of commitment to the gospel is admirable and courageous. And our church feels compelled by the Lord to do our part to help them serve their community in any way we can.”

Forks of Dix River not only already sent volunteers down to the Humble church, but they collected a semi-trailer of supplies to send down as well.

Barry Jeffries, pastor of First Baptist Church of Humble is a brother, son and friend of some of the church members at Forks of Dix River. He is also a former Kentucky Baptist pastor himself, having served for 20 years in Kentucky, including Immanuel Baptist in Danville and Lancaster Baptist churches.

Additionally, First Baptist and Forks of Dix River are no strangers to partnering together since they are currently partnering to reach an unreached people group in Bihar in northeastern India and have teamed up for other mission ventures.

The church sent a team of 20 in September and will be sending another group Oct. 7-15. They are aiding in mud-out in flooded homes and with supply distribution at the church. Additionally, builders and excavators in the church are contributing their skills as well.

“What’s important is what’s permanent. Not stuff that’s temporary. What’s important is our relationship with God, our relationship with one another,” Jeffries told WKYT news. “Thank you to the folks in Lexington, Lancaster, Danville. I just want to say thank you to you guys for your prayers, the way that you’re sending teams and resources.”

Caven shared, “I believe it is a biblical mandate for us to help other churches like this who are faced with a crisis,” citing Acts 20 and 2 Corinthians 8.

“In a missional sense, such a crisis faced by our brothers and sisters in Humble presents itself with a clear opportunity for them to share the gospel of Christ to their community in a way that mostly likely wasn’t possible before the crisis occurred,” he continued.

“When disasters like this strike, a lot of people want to help. But I believe the best way our church can help is by partnering with a local church,” he added. “Because, after we are gone, FBC Humble will still be there to follow up and disciple the folks we have touched. I mean that is why I am convictionally Southern Baptist. Because, we believe as a convention of churches that we can have a greater gospel impact and penetrate the lostness of our world best if we choose to cooperate together.&