One of the amazing and unexpected results for many local churches in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has been the total reimagining of their building use. Our structures have been used primarily for Sunday and Wednesday night programming. Many churches have generously allowed other organizations to use their facilities through arrangements with organizations like senior adult feeding sites, Scouts and AA groups. Still, those have been primarily permission-giving rather than ministry generated by our congregations.
That changed dramatically on September 28, 2024.
Almost immediately, churches became the central distribution centers for their communities.
They fed hundreds of people and passed out bottles of water, diapers, crates of bananas and everything else so generously provided. The bounty arrived on foot, in small cars and 18-wheelers. And each time, people from our churches, alongside people they had never met, were there to receive and distribute the donations. People have been trying to put all these experiences into words from the very first day after the storm, but the experience is inexplicable and has changed us.
Every pastor I have visited has talked about how there is a new awareness of those stately buildings that stand on every corner in our towns, large and small. Attendance has increased in many churches because our members met and served with people with whom they now have new connections.
Now, churches are deciding how they can provide long-term help in their communities. One way is to convert some of their space into housing for teams coming to help rebuild. To date, six churches are working quickly to make housing available; others are also exploring ways to put in showers and create space.
Through these conversations, I have had the opportunity to meet with teams in three churches—First Baptist Marion, First Baptist West Jefferson and Mars Hill Baptist–where pastors have invited volunteers to form hospitality teams to welcome work groups into their spaces. This is no small undertaking. Sharing space is complicated, and unmet expectations can cause discontent, but each group I have met with believes this is the time and an opportunity they want to seize.
It is not simply heartwarming; it is life-giving. It is changing the lives of the people who have lost so much, the teams who need a place to rest at the end of a long day, and the re-envisioning of what the church is called to be and do.
Seeing these stirring amid so much loss defines the advent of Hope. Thanks be to God.
By Rev. Dr. Wanda Kidd
Helene disaster response director
DR@cbfnc.org
828-507-5723
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- FBC Boone has used its space as a storehouse for food & supplies.
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- CBFNC staff David Stone and Wanda Kidd receive supplies from Dan McClintock of Park Road Baptist, Charlotte, NC.
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- A volunteer at FBC Marion sorts donations inside the church building.
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- Some of FBC West Jefferson’s hospitality team volunteers.
Want to Help the Recovery in WNC?
- Christmas for the Mountains Gift Card Collection: Many churches and organizations continue to be overwhelmed with physical donations. Local pastors say that gift cards would be easier to use than large deliveries of toys and other items. Gift cards will count as revenue when used locally, which will be very helpful for the local economies that have been devastated along with homes and infrastructure. We are encouraging mission groups, Sunday School classes or individuals to contribute gift cards to this project. Purchase gift cards for stores they can use locally in amounts of $25 and $50. Get more information on this special initiative here.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Several CBFNC churches in WNC are equipped to house volunteer teams and hosting teams on a regular basis. Please contact Wanda Kidd at DR@cbfnc.org or 828-507-5723 to coordinate opportunities for your teams. We also encourage you to continue to monitor opportunities through Baptists on Mission at: https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene
- Donate Money: Make a financial gift CBFNC’s Disaster Response Fund, where 100% of the money goes to help people in the affected communities. CBFNC uses these funds to provide grants to churches to meet specific needs and to purchase larger items in mass quantities to support the recovery efforts. Give online or mail a donation to CBFNC, 2640 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Please note “Disaster Response” on the check.
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