Ministry Partners Bring Good News to Charley Victims
by Allie Martin
August 23, 2004
(AgapePress) - The International Bible Society is partnering with The Salvation Army to distribute copies of God's Word to disaster survivors who were in the path of Hurricane Charley.Through an agreement between the two Christian organizations, tens of thousands of Bibles are being handed out to victims of the recent hurricane. IBS president Peter Bradley says officials with The Salvation Army are in the process of meeting people's physical needs and determining how many Bibles will be required.
Bradley says the IBS has prepared a number of what the ministry calls "special outreach scriptures" for people who have been devastated by crisis, "people who after a crisis such as this one are really in despair."
Many of the hurricane victims have lost property, security or even loved ones, and the Bible Society president notes, "They're seeing their whole world change, they're fearful, they're looking for hope, and that's exactly what the scriptures [provide] through the promises our good Lord has given to us."
IBS is handing out several crisis-victim-targeted booklets with titles like "Where Is God Now?" and "When Your World Changes," which are designed for young people. Another popular Bible excerpt the Society gives out to disaster victims is a collection of psalms, and one booklet called "Building a Mosaic" is being distributed to aid workers.
Bradley says the IBS has been in phone contact with Salvation Army staffers "just to determine specifically their scripture needs" as they respond to those affected by Hurricane Charley. The two organizations have a partnership agreement, he says, so the IBS can "be on standby to supply them with scripture for any emergency crisis, especially in the U.S., and of course, this one qualifies."
The IBS president, who made his comments on Mission Network News, said scripture distribution should continue for the next few weeks.
