By Aaron Earls
NASHVILLE, Tenn. —As Louisiana recovers from historic flooding, Lifeway Christian Resources wants to help churches, pastors and other victims.
Part of the effort includes restoring Bible study material and pastoral libraries lost in the floodwaters.
“Lifeway provides biblical solutions for life,” said Thom Rainer, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. “We want to support these pastors and churches during the good times, but even more during the difficult times. Replacing some of what was lost is a way for Lifeway to stand with pastors and churches through these heartbreaking circumstances.”
Amy Thompson, director of corporate relations, said, “Pastors were reaching out to Lifeway before the floodwaters even receded. We understand at least 35 pastors’ homes and 60 churches are flooded.”
Bill Robertson, director of pastoral leadership at the Louisiana Baptist Convention, is helping coordinate Lifeway’s ministry to flooded churches and pastors. “Lifeway is our partner in ministry to teach and reach people,” he said. “In preparation for preaching and teaching, the pastor’s library is an essential tool. When you lose it, it only compounds your misery during these difficult days. The resources provided by Lifeway will have an enormous impact on these guys for years to come.”
Robertson said his prayer is that God will work through the witness of the church during the aftermath of this tragedy to bring revival to his state.
Southern Baptist pastors impacted by the flood can receive a set of commentaries, study tools and access to numerous digital resources. Churches can also apply for replacement of one quarter’s worth of Lifeway published ongoing curriculum materials.
“Lifeway has always had a disaster assistance process in place,” said Thompson. “Occasionally, we receive word of a home or church fire, and Lifeway steps in to help.
“Obviously, this assistance is on a larger scale, but we are committed to helping these pastors replace their resources when they are able to begin that process.”
Affected pastors and churches can email [email protected]. After collecting the pastors’ names and contact information, Lifeway will coordinate with the pastors to find the best way to provide them and their congregations with new resources.
Other areas of Lifeway are serving flood victims as well. World Changers is partnering with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief to send teams of student volunteers to affected areas. “The majority of our work will be mudding out homes and following up with spray teams to kill the mold so rebuilding can begin,” said Dave MacNeill of Lifeway Students. Participants will also have Bibles to give to each homeowner.
Teams will be sent out for three straight weekends this month. The first group will arrive Sept. 2 with the last group starting on Sept. 16. For churches interested in sending volunteers, visit LifeWay.com/worldchangers.
Lifeway stores are also lending a hand. The Baton Rouge location has been working through churches to send volunteers to assist in the cleanup.
At New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, the Lifeway store is serving as a collection spot for flood relief donations and has partnered with a local church to distribute the items. The store also contributed to bags containing snacks, water, toiletries, tracts and other items for hundreds of inmates evacuated from a women’s correctional facility.
Aaron Earls is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
