I weep when churches are hurt. I rejoice when the body of Christ comes together to help these churches.
Today, I am prayerfully calling on you to help churches directly affected by two monster hurricanes.
We are still a long way from knowing the extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. As I write this article, we are waiting for a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area by Hurricane Milton, likely near Bradenton.
Church Answers has three team members who live in or near Bradenton: Sam Rainer, Matt McCraw, and Wes Hamilton. These three men represent two churches, West Bradenton Baptist and First Baptist of Bartow. They are not merely waiting on a hurricane; they are waiting to act as first responders. They are putting their lives on the line to help others.
That is how the body of Christ works.
Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton affected hundreds, if not thousands, of churches. We at Church Answers want to help as many of these churches as possible. I have two specific and bold requests.
A Call to Fervent Prayer
Lives were lost in Hurricane Helene. Churches were devastated. Even now, we don’t know the extent of the fatalities and the damage.
By the time many of you read this article, Hurricane Milton will be hitting the Tampa Bay area. We will wait to hear the reports later.
And I will wait in earnest prayer for my own son.
Please pray. Please pray fervently for the churches, their leaders, and their members. Pray for God’s intervention and mercy. Start a movement of prayer where you are right now.
Please leave a comment at the end of this article when you pray. Let these churches know we have not forgotten them.
I personally thank you as the CEO of Church Answers and as a dad who loves his son greatly.
A Call to Sacrificial Giving
Many of you might not be aware that local churches are among the first responders. They need immediate funds for chainsaws, tools, wood, generators, and so much more. There will be more needs later, but we know the immediate needs.
Church Answers has set up a hurricane relief fund for churches at our sister not-for-profit organization, Now Go Network. Over 250,000 churches in America contact Church Answers every year. We know the churches. We know how to help the churches. We are ready to help many churches in the paths of two monster hurricanes.
Please consider giving sacrificially to help the churches. Your tax-deductible gift to Now Go Network will go directly to the churches. Here is the link: https://nowgonetwork.org/donate/?donation_term=once
Thank you so very much. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your collective hearts. The body of Christ is absolutely amazing.
Thom
P. S. Please leave a comment letting us know you are praying.
P. P. S. Please send a sacrificial tax-deductible gift to the churches. Here is the link https://nowgonetwork.org/donate/?donation_term=once.
Posted on October 9, 2024
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
More from Thom
49 Comments
I have been and will be praying for your team, and all those involved.
Thank you.
I have been and will be praying for your team, and all those involved.
Thank you, Mike.
Praying for all in Bradenton and surrounding area – especially those near the beaches. My church, Palma Sola Community Church, and Northwest Baptist Church are on the same road and both are in evacuation zone A along with others I do not know about. Praying they all come through with no or minimal damage.
I join you in praying for all of them, Vicki.
I am joining you in prayer for the churches and people in the path of Hurricane Milton.
Thanks so much, my friend.
First Baptist Hobbs, NM is praying for the churches already affected and those soon to affected.
Thank you, Jim.
I am praying!
Thank you, Jeremy.
We are praying!
Thank you, Eddie. We are incredible grateful for our Free Will Baptist brothers and sisters.
We are praying for all the churches and people caught in these two devastating hurricanes. I just donated to the relief fund.
Thank you for your prayers and generosity, Maggie.
Praying for Florida, and for North Carolina as they continue to suffer. Will ask our Wednesday evening prayer meeting group to also lift these situations up in prayer tonight.
Thanks so much, James.
Lord God Almighty,
We trust that your power is greater than any storm and Your ability to protect, preserve, and deliver can overcome any situation. We ask for Your mercy to protect the lives and property of our fellow believers in the path of this hurricane. Help those who have already been impacted by the last hurricane. Be gracious to them and to us, as the Church Answers community, to watch over our own and those You want to join us in the future. We know the enemy will use any circumstance to convince us our faith in You is misplaced. But we confess that everything in life is Your servant, even tragedy and hardship. There is nothing You cannot use to further Your Kingdom and spread the knowledge of Your Son, our savior, Jesus Christ. So we commit ourselves to You. We surrender to You. May Your desires by fulfilled and Your dominion over hearts and lives grow as a result of this storm. And may the testimonies of Your miraculous saving grace resound throughout the earth to the praise of Your glory and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Beautiful prayer, Tim. Thank you.
We are praying in Dothan, AL.
Thank you, Allyson.
Praying for NC recovery and for safety for FLorida!!!
Thank you, Virginia.