Arizona

Call it God's timing.
The ASBC Disaster Relief Team had served at FBC, Sun Lakes, on several occasions, and church members saw first-hand the impact that the DR ministry can have in communities. The church's missions committee saw the DR ministry as one they should support financially.

What no one anticipated was that, as Pastor Bill May was getting ready to deliver a $10,000 check to the Disaster Relief team this week, thieves had broken into the storage unit that houses all of the disaster ministry's equipment.

"Our folks have learned to appreciate the Disaster Relief Ministry," May said, "but it's really part of the mission strategy of our church."

Along with the church's increase in Cooperative Program giving over the past three years, their support of associational work, and missions partnerships, "we see Disaster Relief as one of the most visible expressions of ministry in Arizona Southern Baptist work," he stated.

Besides taking generators, tools, and other essential equipment used in the kitchen units, food supplies were taken, and extensive damage was done to multiple trailers, according to Mitch McDonald, State Director for Arizona Disaster Relief. McDonald estimates the total loss and cost to get back up and running at well over $35,000.

The financial loss is large enough, McDonald explained, but the impact on this year's disaster response ministry is huge. As of May 14, all Disaster Relief units had to be completely removed from their normal "Ready to Respond" status. The state and national agencies removed all kitchen and shower units from their response list.

"This could not have come at a worse time," McDonald said. "We are at the front end of fire season, and gearing up for hurricane season as well. We are working hard to try and get as much put back together as fast as we can to be response ready if the need should arise."

McDonald expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by May's church.

McDonald and the team are assessing the loss, and will be working with the insurance company to replace the equipment as soon as possible.

"This could not have come at a worse time," McDonald said. "We are at the front end of fire season, and gearing up for hurricane season as well. We are working hard to try and get as much put back together as fast as we can to be response ready if the need should arise."