The Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, October 23, more than a month after the original date in September. Hurricane Florence struck the Carolinas and swept through the state causing the meeting to be postponed.
Trustees heard multiple reports, including updates about the damage Hurricane Florence caused at multiple Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) locations. BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell reported that damages could total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Brenda Gray, BCH Executive Vice President, Development & Communications, addressed the significance of the storm’s impact on BCH as well as others throughout the state.
“Close to a third of our state has been impacted,” Gray said. “There are churches who still do not have a place to meet. Some of our donors have lost their homes and even their livelihoods.”
Gray affirmed the work North Carolina Baptists are doing to offer relief and hope to those who have experienced loss. She also praised the approximately 1,400 volunteers who have donated their time, skills and resources to help with recovery and clean up at BCH’s Kennedy Home in Kinston, Odum Home in Pembroke, Mills Home in Thomasville, and Cameron Boys Camp and Camp Duncan for Girls, both in Moore County.
Gray noted that because of the losses many BCH friends have experienced, those supporters may not be in a position to give to BCH at the end of this year when donations are needed most.
“We ask that our friends, who are able, prayerfully consider giving a little extra at the end of the year,” she explained.
She announced that an anonymous donor has issued a $250,000 matching gift challenge where all donations until January 31, 2019 will be matched dollar for dollar up to the challenge total.
Gray is hopeful friends will take full advantage of the matching gift opportunity especially entering the holiday season.
“Christmas giving and end-of-the-year gifts are crucial for caring for children now as well as the ones who will turn to us as we enter 2019,” she concluded.
Trustees also viewed this year’s new Annual Offering videos. The offering is another important avenue of support for North Carolina Baptist churches. BCH’s Communications department has focused on creating an archive of videos including shorter clips that can be easily shown by churches in their services. The videos are located at the new www.bchoffering.org website as well as the ministry’s Vimeo page.
To end the meeting, Dr. Blackwell recognized trustees rotating off the board. Trustees completing a four-year term were: John Cashwell, Concord; Gayla Freeman, Conover; Jim Goldston, Raleigh; Jim Gorsuch, Hildebran; Kenneth Lance, Salisbury; Karl Milleran, Thomasville; Kenneth Robinette (completing an unexpired term), Marston; Sybil Stewart, Sherrills Ford; and Bobby Tucker, Kannapolis.
“When I first stepped onto this campus as a trustee, I was overcome with emotion,” Tucker said to Dr. Blackwell as he accepted his certificate. “I knew God’s hand was all over this place. I thank the Lord for you and your staff.”
Donate to Hurricane Relief at www.bchfamily.org/givenow