Master’s Men Disaster Response Teams to Partner in Relief Efforts in Oklahoma

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 11, 2013

From Master’s Men Director Ken Akers:

I have just returned from Moore, Oklahoma, where I met with local Free Will Baptist ministries to determine the best course of action for Master’s Men Disaster Response. What I saw during my visit was utter destruction created by a massive tornado—homes, businesses, and neighborhoods completely destroyed. The lives of those impacted by this disaster will be changed forever. I saw people standing in piles of rubble that was once their homes, looking for anything to salvage as a reminder of their past. Their needs are desperate and immediate but also will be ongoing.

After meeting with Dr. Tim Eaton, president of Hillsdale College, and John Hewitt and Mark Cole from Arms of Compassion Ministries, we established the following disaster relief plan:

We will work directly with these men to coordinate and mobilize relief teams. I was extremely proud of the work going on at Hillsdale College. Dr. Eaton and his team of employees and volunteers were hard at work distributing supplies and providing food to locals and volunteers. We will work with them to coordinate projects in Oklahoma, both immediately and in months to come.

We already have teams volunteering for this effort. If you or your group would like to be involved, please contact us right away. We are organizing volunteers to travel to Moore the week of July 7-13. Hillsdale needs immediate volunteers to load and unload supplies and work in the gym, which has become a distribution center.

Hillsdale College will provide lodging and meals free of charge to Free Will Baptist volunteers, but they are doing so at their own expense. We are asking volunteers to make donations to help offset the costs. Citi Impact is helping with reservations for the lodging, and they suggest a $20-$25 per day donation. Please do not let this deter you from going. The Master’s Men Disaster Response Fund will continue to make donations to help cover the expenses incurred by Hillsdale College.

If you wish to take part in this massive relief effort, contact the Master’s Men office. If July 7-13 does not fit your schedule, we will organize other groups for other times, and we will be happy to help you get plugged into a team.

In addition to local volunteers, Master’s Men board member John Fowlkes will be on site to assist groups that come. Should Hillsdale not be able to accommodate our teams, we have other options. If you cannot go but would like to help with this project, send financial support to Master’s Men, and we will use the money to meet the needs of those affected by the tornado.

Contact Master’s Men at masters@nafwb.org or ken@nafwb.org. Call toll-free 877-767-8039, local 615-760-6142 or by cell 931-265-233. The mailing address is:

Master’s Men
PO Box 5002
Antioch, TN 37011

 

News Release – May 21, 2013
Antioch, TN—While details are still forthcoming regarding the devastation caused by the catastrophic tornadoes that ripped through neighborhoods near Oklahoma City over the last 48 hours, some details have been confirmed.

Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College was not in the path of the storm and did not sustain damage. President Tim Eaton said, “Hillsdale on-campus personnel sheltered in the gym locker rooms underground. The tornado damage is north of the College.”

Based on preliminary reports, Free Will Baptist churches in the area also avoided major damage, though several remain without power.

A number of Free Will Baptist families have experienced significant losses. The Oklahoma State Office will serve as a distribution point for funds directed toward recovery efforts:

Oklahoma State Office
Attention: Tornado Recovery
PO Box 7527
Moore, OK 73153
405-912-9400

Master’s Men Disaster Response is currently evaluating the situation to determine the best mode of response. Further details will be released as they become available. Please join other Free Will Baptists in praying for those affected by the storm.