Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

Southern Baptists minister after SW Kansas tornado

Marvin Lawson, 70, stands in the rubble of his home that was leveled by a horrific tornado on Friday night, May 4. Lawson rode out the EF5 tornado in his home that does not have a basement. A young neighbor pulled him from the rubble soon after the tornado swept through. Lawson is a retired Marine who served in Korea and three tours of duty in Vietnam. He remained upbeat as he searched through the rubble while stopping to talk with the media. “They’re gonna see Greensburg come back stronger than it ever was,” he said. “We don’t give up.” (Photo by Eva Wilson)

A devastating tornado crushed Greensburg, Kan., on Friday night, May 4. But it has failed to crush residents’ spirits.
Pastors of Southern Baptist churches in the Greensburg area responded soon after the tornado struck. The KNCSB disaster-relief team arrived the following day and served its first meal on Sunday night, May 6.

The KNCSB team is based at the grade school in Haviland, Kan., about 12 miles east of Greensburg, working in cooperation with the American Red Cross. Team members are serving about 1,200 meals daily. Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) deliver meals prepared by the KNCSB team to the stricken area.

In addition, the KNCSB team is serving meals at the school to tornado evacuees and relief workers.

Greensburg does not have a Southern Baptist congregation. “However, we’re helping the pastor of First Baptist Church, Greensburg, an American Baptist congregation,” said Keith Bryant. He is director of missions for Central Baptist Association in west-central Kansas. The association stretches from the Oklahoma state line to Nebraska.

Southern Baptists from nearby Blackwell, Okla., also are assisting in the relief effort.

At this point, Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist can best help Greensburg and other stricken communities through prayer and giving money.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible financial donation, please make your check payable to KNCSB and mail it to: KNCSB, Attn: Disaster Relief, 5410 SW 7th St., Topeka, KS 66606

If you would like to volunteer as a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief worker, please contact Patty Lucas at 785.762.2468. Or send e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

At this time there are no organized clean up efforts for this area. As we have more information about the needs for this area (such as specific items to gather, we will communicate it with you as quickly as possible. Currently, there is no space to house donated items near the affected area.

If you have any questions, please contact Lori at KNCSB, 800.984.9092 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)