Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

KNCSB teams have fruitful 2006 ministry in New Orleans; vast needs still exist there

Elijah “Touch” Touchton is pictured in front of a home in New Orleans’ Upper 9th Ward. Volunteers on KNCSB Team #9 rewired this home in early December. Touchton is coordinator of KNCSB rebuilding teams in New Orleans.

by Elijah “Touch” Touchton

Although parts of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans are making progress, other areas still lie in ruins. People are still hurting and need the hope that only Christ can give.

As you may have heard, we have used the money in the KNCSB Katrina Disaster Fund. We are asking churches in KNCSB to help the people in New Orleans by sending money to KNCSB. (Make checks out to KNCSB, designate them for “hurricane recovery” and mail them to 5410 SW 7th St., Topeka, KS 66606-2331.)

As we close 2006, we have had 197 volunteers and they have worked 8,500 hours, completing the following projects in New Orleans:

• Rewired 22 houses.


• Sheet-rocked three homes.


• Finished sheet-rocking on three houses.


• Insulated two homes.


• Global Maritime Ministries Center—helped install sheetrock and put up siding on outside of the building, finished sheetrock and made cabinets.


• Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans—put in 100 feet of sidewalk.


• Furnished electrical materials for three houses and helped purchase materials for others.


• Furnished drywall materials for two houses.


• Gentilly Baptist Church—painted and put in electrical on the first floor of the education building. (The church is now housing volunteers, including those from KNCSB and Arkansas.)


• Outreach—Passed out 1,393 flyers, 799 gift bags to homeowners; 400 care bears and 18 backpacks with school supplies. The gospel has been shared many times and we know of 17 persons who invited Christ into their lives.

We are planning to continue working with the Arkansas Disaster Team in New Orleans in 2007. Our dates are:

• March 17-24


• April 14-21


• May 5-12


• June 23-30

For more information on how you can serve, call Touchton at 620.230.9962 or send e-mail to