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UPDATE:$22,493.31 has been given as of February 7. Offering will remain open for a long time to come. It will take years for Hati to rebuild. All proceeds to date have gone to Hope for the Hungry unless otherwise designated.

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The earthquake in Haiti has brought unimaginable suffering to the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and we will never fully understand the devastation currently being experienced by millions some 1,700 miles away from us. However, as a family of believers in Jesus Christ, it is incumbent on us to respond in the most loving and effective way we know how.

For First Baptist Belton, that means loving our church family in Haiti well. There is not a single example in Scripture of the church filling the plates of the “general population poor” as a first or ultimate priority, though there are many of these people in Haiti. Rather, we do find instructions like those in Galatians 6:10, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Due largely to sheer numbers, the world will always be better, faster, and more effective than we can be at the important work of physical relief. As individuals, we should give to these efforts, pray for these efforts, and even volunteer to help, if God so directs. But the primary focus of the church, the priority calling of the body of Christ, the first response of all believers must be to help the church.

Finding local communities of brothers and sisters in Christ, assessing the needs of the church in Haiti, and rallying this family to rescue and restore the church are the most important steps of obedience we can offer Christ and His kingdom. It is the Haitian church that will endure, for God has promised that it will be so. Haitian believers will outlast the countless relief agencies and provide more enduring help than any bandage or surgery can. When the celebrity telethons end and the cable news channels turn their focus back to American politics, it is the church that will remain for the hope of Haiti. We can help her endure. We must help her endure.

With this goal in mind, we are asking that you partner with us in supporting two organizations with your finances and prayers.

Hope for the Hungry:  hopeforthehungry.org

This is non-profit missions organization based right here in Belton, TX and staffed by loving disciples of Christ — many of whom attend our church. Hope for the Hungry presents us with the unique opportunity to be directly connected with Haitian believers in an intimate way and know that our resources are being skillfully put to work with much discernment and prayer for the most kingdom-minded impact possible.

Churches Helping Churches: churcheshelpingchurches.com

Founded in the wake of the Haitian earthquake, Churches Helping Churches exists to address the immediate and long-term needs of churches when disaster befalls a country, region, city, or people. Currently, over 160 church families across this nation are banding together to rebuild the church in Haiti as quickly as possible so that the gospel might provide a lasting aid and hope to a hurting people. Please check out the website for phenomenal video and picture media better explaining the mission and specifics of their work in Haiti.

You may give directly to these two organizations or through the church on any Sunday morning by simply writing “Haiti” in the memo line of your check or on the front of your offering envelope. We will be working hard to provide you with updated prayer needs throughout the next weeks and months. For now, let us give confidently in the fact that our God is supreme and that He is in control. He is working all things together for His good and will ensure that His elect in Haiti know joy in the midst of sorrow. He will enlarge His kingdom and glorify His name even in the darkest of hours.

Questions about the Helping Haiti Hope effort? Please contact Daniel Rowe, Ministry and Missions Assistant.