(By J.A. Medders, The Gospel Coalition). Houston, along with its connected neighborhoods, communities, and suburbs, is being pummeled by historic rain and unprecedented flooding. It’s a disaster here.
My neighbors—all 6.5 million—are feeling the effects of Hurricane Harvey’s 500-year flooding event.
So far 370 billion gallons of rain have hit our greater Houston area—and it has just started. The pictures are nothing short of stunning. Nearly every bayou and creek in the Bayou City has gone over its banks. Meteorologists expect the storm to linger, dragging its rain across our city throughout the coming week. First-responders are working nonstop, risking their lives to rescue others. More than 2,000 rescues have been performed, and with days of rain to come, countless more are in store.
While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) anticipates years of relief work, the church of the risen Lord Jesus is ready for her work, too.
Christlike in Crisis
As Hurricane Harvey continues to dump rain in the billions of gallons, I see Christlike instincts cresting and rising in our city.
Civilians are assembling their kayaks and big ol’ Texas-style trucks to save their neighbors. Sacrifice in a time of severe weather.
Church buildings—like that of Houston Northwest Church led by my friend, pastor Steve Bezner—are becoming staging-areas for relief. The body of Christ is opening her arms to help her neighbors.
Southern Baptists are uniting together, along with other organizations, to wash the feet of those hit by Harvey:
SBTC Disaster Relief has joined Texas emergency response teams including the Texas Baptist Men, the North American Mission Board (NAMB)’s Disaster Relief teams, the American Red Cross, state police and fire departments, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) teams and more. Southern Baptists in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi are readying volunteers and equipment as well.
We’ve assembled a Redeemer Church response team, brothers and sisters eager to help. They have their boats, trucks, chainsaws, trailers, cookies, muscles, time, and prayers ready for those hit hard by Harvey.
Like many churches across the city, our members are checking in with each other, opening their homes, offering to help however they can. They are serving each other, sacrificing for each other; they are ready to love their neighbors. These are the kinds of instincts you hope to see. Apathy and disinterest are demonic in a time of disaster.
My friends and family—my Aunt Pilar and Uncle Jeff in West Houston—have water sliding up their driveways, heading toward their doors. I’m constantly—and nervously—texting church members for updates. Many are trapped in their neighborhoods and won’t be able to leave for days. One family at our church had to evacuate early because the wife may go into labor any minute.
Christians, we should be at our best when affliction does its worst.
Related articles:
EPC Launches Emergency Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief
Presbyterians Mobilize to Help the People of Texas Recover After Hurricane Harvey, By Rick Jones and Kathy Francis, Presbyterian News Service
A Prayer for Victims of Tropical Storm Harvey, by Chelsen Vicari, Juicy Ecumenism
7 Terms You Need to Know to Understand the Houston Flood, by Joe Carter, The Gospel Coalition
Call to Prayer as Hurricane Harvey Passes By, by Rev. Laurie Ann Kraus, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
(Photo from Twitter.)