TYLER, TX (EAST TEXAS NEWS) — The mission of the Texas Baptist Men is to provide aid, hope, and healing to those who suffer. So, when storms tore through East Texas, the group did not hesitate to lend a hand.
“As soon as we learned there was a tornado in Gilmer, we sent a team the very next morning,” said Cheryl Terry, the Texas Baptist Men area coordinator.
Bruce Slaven is an East Texas native who has been helping Gilmer storm survivors gather the pieces of their damaged homes.
“We were called by God to help our neighbor, and that’s what this is all about,” Slaven said.
“Texans are strong, resilient people. We’ve always been, and we always will be. A tornado may knock us down for a moment, but we’ll rise again and press on,” said John Hall, a spokesperson for the Texas Baptist Men.
Seeing crews cut through fallen trees, topple cars that ended up upright, and gather the survivors’ remaining belongings as the community bands together to aid a neighbor isn’t surprising to Hall and Slaven.
“We’re working alongside their neighbors, their friends, the streets are coming together. Communities have come together. Everyone with a chainsaw pulls one out and helps each other,” Hall said.
The nonprofit organization provides help, hope, and healing wherever it’s needed. From East Texas to Poland, Cheryl Terry is traveling to Poland on Thursday to assist Ukrainian refugees.
“I feel that we are called,” Terry said. “The Bible says to go and be witnesses. If we don’t do that, what is our purpose?”
“For more information on how to get help, visit New Beginnings Baptist Church on Facebook. For more information on how to participate and volunteer with TBM, click here.”
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