The following update is from CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter and also includes an update from Tommy Deal, CBF U.S. Disaster Response Coordinator on how you and your church can help.

Update from Suzii Paynter

Whether huddled in a classroom or hallway or dashing away in a car with a persistent radio update – the people of Moore, Okla. began by waiting on the storm.

Teachers described the oncoming sounds like a freight train; homeowners described their ceilings and roofs flapping off like paper, and their windows bursting simultaneously right before the walls caved in.

I know the fear of these sounds because I crouched in a basement in Louisville, Ky. and waited – till my house was shredded by a tornado. You wait; you hear the train sound and then the sound is so intense that it changes to a vibration that for a split second trembles you down to your cells and you think you might blow apart.

But you don’t.

Tornadoes are fast and devastating. Recovery is not.

Even with the response of capable good Samaritans, recovery feels like tiny teaspoons of help into a monstrous hill of debris.

That’s why it is so important to plan, to staff and to be of consistent help to Oklahoma responders. As a Fellowship, we can be grateful for Tommy Deal, CBF Disaster Response coordinator and Steve Graham, CBF Oklahoma coordinator. Tommy and Steve are managing a remarkably rapid response plan for Moore and other affected nearby areas including Shawnee, Okla. which was also devastated by a tornado just a day prior.

Below is a brief update from Tommy Deal:

Steve Graham, CBF Oklahoma coordinator, and I met with pastors, staff and leaders of CBF churches in Shawnee and the Oklahoma City-area on Wednesday and Thursday. Each church has moved efficiently and graciously to reach out to neighbors near and far.

Churches in Oklahoma City and Norman including First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City,  pastor Tom Ogburn, NorthHaven Church, pastor Mitch Randall, and First Baptist Church of Norman, pastor Wade Smith, have begun perfecting niche ministries in which they are reaching out to the people in nearby Moore, Okla.

University Baptist Church in Shawnee and pastor Steve Dominy along with First Baptist Church of Shawnee and pastor Bob Hartmann have concentrated on reaching out to those who were affected by the Sunday, May 19, tornado that killed two and destroyed 90 homes.

There has also been sharing between these churches in the Shawnee and Moore areas!

If you would like to assist in the relief efforts in these areas, please contact Jill Hatcher at the CBF Oklahoma office at (405) 447-2471.

Jill, who is a member of FBC Norman and CBF Oklahoma Disaster Response Coordinator, is coordinating with local churches in the area and connecting volunteers and groups to those areas.

Calls related to volunteers/volunteer teams will be received and swiftly channeled to those who can assist coordination. Volunteer housing and accommodations will be at FBC Norman. Please do not call FBC Norman directly.

Contact CBF Oklahoma at the above number and they will have FBC Norman contact you back within a few hours or less.

Volunteers are needed for general labor to help survivors sift through debris, reclaim belongings, drag items to the street, etc.

Individuals who can offer a listening ear and comforting shoulder can bring a glimmer of hope to those suffering. Trained crisis counselors and chaplains would be a great help in the field and for team debriefings in the evenings.

Specific items and supplies have been requested. All donations will be coordinated by NorthHaven Church in Norman.  Please do not call NorthHaven Church directly. Contact CBF Oklahoma at (405) 447-2471.

Items needed include:

• Water and Gatorade-type drinks
• Snack foods
• Protective breathing masks
• Rakes
• Plastic bins (for residents to collect belongings)
• Tarps
• Work gloves

Please only send requested items. This list will change, perhaps daily.

Check the Facebook page of NorthHaven Church for regular updates on needed items.

Monetary donations are needed too.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Atlanta) and CBF Oklahoma can swiftly translate financial contributions to meet immediate needs. You may give online at the CBF website or you may mail a check to the following address:

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Disaster Response Ministries
PO Box 101699
Atlanta, GA 30392

Please make checks payable to CBF. All contributions are tax deductible and will be directly used to help those affected by disasters.

Click the image to give to CBF Disaster Response Ministries.