I love watching God work among His people to bring about unity and hope for the most vulnerable among us. That has been so evident during our most recent days of devastation across North Carolina and beyond. During this time, we have heard countless stories that have broken our hearts and filled us with sadness. But also during this time, we have heard and seen so many acts of love and kindness. We have heard many stories of miracles and hope in the midst of the disaster around us.
Thank you for your many acts of kindness. We are so grateful for your help and witness during this time.
Every day, I am reminded of God’s provision of rescue and hope, to see how He uses each of you on mission together to make a difference during and after the storm. This is true for those we serve each and every day that are in the midst of their personal storms. It is also true after those storms pass. We do not stop caring in the aftermath. And we are able to be there because you are there with us, praying and supporting this ministry.
Even before the hurricane had passed, you were calling and preparing to help. We have had volunteers on our campuses helping with tree removal—only one tree fell on a building and fence. A group from Elizabeth Baptist Church was there within days to remove the debris. Many of you have reached out to pray and support our ministries throughout the west. Our facilities in the west sustained minimal damage. We evacuated three of our IDD homes. The two from Zionville were relocated to Mills Home, and our home in Asheville was relocated to Broyhill Home in Clyde. Our Zionville IDD family has been able to return. It seems it will be much longer before our Asheville Home residents will be able to return due to public water issues.
Homebase ministry at Western Carolina is serving as a hub, providing basics for displaced students. Several of our staff in the west and their families sustained major damage. Please keep them in your prayers in the weeks and months ahead.
November marks several milestones for me. November 11 is my birthday. It is also the birthday of Baptist Children’s Homes. I feel so special sharing my birthday with BCH. November also marks my 25th anniversary of service with BCH. During these 25 years, I have watched God use you to pierce the darkness. I have watched as God used you to light the pathway to safety, hope, and healing for thousands of children and families who He has sent us. Thanks to you, we have been able to swing the doors open wide with arms of love ready to embrace each hurting child and family. I am so very grateful for every prayer and every call I have received on behalf of the “least of these.” I am so very grateful and humbled for the amazing opportunity to serve.
I am beyond excited for what the future holds for BCH. This weekend, I had the opportunity to spend some time with David and Tera Melber. David is our newly elected CEO. (Take time to get to know David Melber by reading the insert in this issue of C&C.) I look with anticipation for the many opportunities God will open to introduce the Melbers to you, and for you to have the opportunity to see and experience their passion and calling to this ministry. It is evident God has been preparing them for this moment in time.
I also look forward to David and Tera having the opportunity to see and experience your passion and calling to this ministry. God has blessed us with so many wonderful ministry partners. Thank you for walking this journey with us.
I am committed to helping the Melbers as they transition, and David leads in caring for the “least of these.”
I thank you in advance for continuing to make this extraordinary journey with us. I often find it hard to put into words how much I treasure you, how much I love you for being there in the midst of the many storms. Even when things get hard, or maybe even more when things get hard, you never stop praying and giving.
In just a few weeks, churches all across North Carolina will begin gathering their BCH annual offering. Your gifts of love are more important than ever.
How can you help? PRAY! Please share this issue of blog post with your church, Sunday school class, and family and friends. Encourage them to live out the power of the good news of the Gospel of Matthew by supporting this vital ministry.
In Scripture, Matthew 25:35-40 reads:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Join us in prayer each week throughout November using our prayer guide. The prayer requests were submitted by staff, and they covet your prayers as they care for those God has placed in our lives.
Another great way to help is to use the Christmas Gift Catalog (online and in our October and December issues of Charity & Children) and find ways of bringing joy, hope, and love this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember to “Find your Spot” to learn how you can volunteer.
Note: We are very grateful that once again we have a $300,000 challenge gift. Every individual gift given between October and January 31, 2025, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $300,000. Thank you so very much for your much-needed and prayerful support.
Written by Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications