The Southern Baptists are launching their largest relief effort ever in response to Hurricane Katrina. According to Baptist Press, more than 1,000 volunteers and 100 mobile disaster relief units activated to hurricane- and tornado-ravaged regions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. The American Red Cross requested Southern Baptists deploy enough volunteers and services to feed 300,000 people a day. But because the devastation is so widespread, it has been difficult for response teams to get into affected areas.
The Salvation Army reports that a stopped fuel supply has hampered their efforts to deliver food, according to the Christian Emergency Network. CEN also reports that other ministries such as Mennonite, Nazarene Disaster, Brethren U.S.A. and United Methodist disaster services have joined in relief efforts, as well as Campus Crusade for Christ the Wesleyan Church. Dozens of other groups, and Christian organizations and denominations are also sending help.
Money is pouring in by the millions and billions from the federal government, American corporations, even a rock telethon. Perennial Labor Day weekend telethoner, Jerry Lewis, is offering half of the funds from the drive for his kids. The U.N. has also offered assistance.
Individual churches are opening their doors to shelter and feed hundreds of refugees. The World Relief organization announced in a press release that it will equip churches in affected areas with resources to clean up and rebuild. Churches in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana already make up a grassroots volunteer network that can be mobilized immediately given the proper resources.
According to the release, this follows the disaster response model used in Indonesia after the tsunami.
Louisiana's Gov. Kathleen Blanco asked for a statewide day of prayer Wednesday, Aug. 31, as she called for a full evacuation of the city of New Orleans.
Church leaders from around the country called for a national day of prayer and fasting Sunday, Sept. 4.
Hurricane-proof Bible?
The Bible may be the eternal Word of God, but the book itself eventually falls apart. Bardin and Marsee Publishing are aiming to address that problem with a new waterproof, tear-resistant, "Outdoor Bible," to go on sale Sept. 12.
Publishers are marketing the durable Good Book to outdoor enthusiasts who may want to take their Bible into the woods or onto the water, without fear of destroying the text.
"The Outdoor Bible was developed specifically to meet the climatic challenges of outdoor environments, allowing it to provide inspiration anywhere from the rivers to the mountains to the deserts," the publisher's press release reads.
The Outdoor Bible resembles the size, format, and flexibility of a road or trail map. It is the New American Standard Bible translation and made of 100 percent plastic.
The Bible will retail for $34.95 and will be available only online at, www.TheOutdoorBible.com.
Maybe relief agencies will be eyeing this one as part of future hurricane, flood and tornado kits.
