Click each slide to view a larger picture.

Here are photos our of last ministry project in May of 2005.

Middle Florida Baptist Association Volunteers Help in Hurricane Ivan Aftermath 

          Seventeen (17) folks from Middle Florida Baptist Association representing eight churches served in Disaster Relief in Milton September 22-25, 2004. Milton First Baptist Church, one of the Command Centers for the Florida Baptist Convention, provided sleeping space and provided meals. The caravan of eight vehicles included a trailer carrying two tractors with front-end loaders, a trailer carrying three (3) 55 gallons of gasoline, truck with a  generator as well as the Disaster Relief Trailer. Several churches and individuals gave donations allowing the group to give gasoline as needed. Rick Lawrence, Florida Baptist Convention disbursed the fuel. Also some funds were shared with folks who suffered great loss.

          The ladies worked in food preparation for volunteers and cleaned two yards. The men did Clean-up, electrical and other ministries.

          Those helping in the tasks were: Louis Driggers (Bethel Creek); Matt Buchanan, Joe Keen, Harold & Wayman Smith (Brewer Lake); Gary Spears, M.L. Purvis & Bill Bellamy (Elizabeth); Joe & Helen Hart (Faith); Phil Roberts (Fellowship); Bern Smith & Gwen Combass (Madison First); Myles McNierney (St. Johns); Philip Howell, Gene & Geraldine Stokes (New Home).

            There are long term needs in Florida for Disaster Relief help; if you would like to be involved, please call 973-8607. Financial contributions to relief efforts may be sent to Middle Florida Baptist Association, P O Box 702, Madison 32341; or Florida Baptist Convention, 1230 Hendricks AV, Jacksonville 32207-8696. Please note designation to Hurricane Relief.

Local Baptist Help in Charley Aftermath

During the week of August 20-27, nine Middle Florida Baptist Association people ministered in Arcadia with clean-up and recovery after Hurricane Charley devastated south Florida. The First Baptist Church, Arcadia, provided housing for the group and the Alabama Feeding Unit on site provided meals. Those going to Arcadia were: Phil Roberts & Jim Adams (Fellowship), Tom Adams (Faith), Louis Driggers (Bethel Creek), Phil & Dorothy Heard (Pine Grove), Gary Spears (Greenville), Philip Howell & Gene Stokes (New Home). Phil & Dorothy Heard did some work with the Alabama Feeding Unit and the Red Cross distribution of meals.
 

Middle Florida Baptist Association Volunteers Help in Hurricane Charley Aftermath 

Eight Middle Florida Baptist Association people spent August 26-31 in North Port working with the Florida Baptist Convention feeding unit set up at South Biscayne Baptist Church, North Port. The group cleaned cambros (containers used to transport food) and prepared food to be distributed by the Red Cross. Two meals were prepared to be distributed to victims of Charley with the workday starting at 4:00 AM. Those going to North Port were: Jack & Simmie Pickels, Johnny & Debbie Henderson, Gene & Geraldine Stokes (New Home); Hazel Phillips (Midway); M.L. Purvis (Elizabeth). John Wheeler of Lake City was also assigned to the Middle Florida group and accompanied them to North Port. Jack Pickels and Gene & Geraldine Stokes worked one day in commodity distribution at East Side Baptist Church, Punta Gorda. South Biscayne Baptist Church serves as the Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief command center and provided housing in classrooms. In the four days of meal preparation, the unit prepared 56,500 meals.

Volunteers continue to be needed in all areas of service. If you would like to serve or give financially contact the Middle Florida Baptist Association, P O Box 702, Madison 32341, 850.973.8607 or Florida Baptist Convention, 1230 Hendricks AV, Jacksonville 32207-8696; 800.226.8584 extension 3121.