Texas Floods 2015: After Devastation, Houston Churches Turn to God for Support
Photo Credit: International Business Times As Houston was ravaged by floods starting last weekend and continuing through Saturday night, church members here sprang into action. The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention sent 50 volunteers out to deliver food, Houston’s First Baptist Church donated money to disaster relief and Riceville Mount Olive prepared for increased applications to its benevolence fund from which members can request financial aid for rent or bills.
“That’s part of what we believe a church is supposed to do, is assist,” said Deacon Reginald Fields of Riceville Mount Olive. “It’s one of the foundations of Christianity to help those that cannot help themselves.” Speaking slowly from an office inside the church, he continued: “Jesus Christ came and gave his ultimate that we might have and because of him, we feel an obligation to do the same. We realize we can’t do it on the same scale he did, but we’re called to do it.”
In an arena a few miles away, superstar the Rev. Joel Osteen aimed to inspire the thousands who attended Sunday service at Lakewood Church, the nation’s largest. Between rambunctious band performances and colorful light shows, Osteen solemnly preached about the purpose of pain. He urged churchgoers to believe in God’s higher purpose and said God would look out for them.
“We just pray for Your comfort for their families,” he prayed out loud on stage, eyes closed. “We pray that You will help those who have lost and they will recover all.”
During the rain, drivers on Texas highways were forced to abandon their cars to floodwaters. Police pulled bodies from bayous amid mandatory evacuations. Rescue boats capsized in the surging water. Family members were reported missing. (Read more from “Texas Floods 2015: After Devastation, Houston Churches Turn to God for Support” HERE)
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