Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief teams have served at both ends of the state and in Iowa this summer, helping homeowners recover from flooding and destructive storms.
Dennis Felix, pastor of First Baptist Church in Prairie Du Rocher, led a team of nine volunteers to Rockford during the first week of July. Much of the flood damage there was in basements, Felix said, so the team spent a week moving homeowners’ personal belongings, then pressure-washing and sanitizing walls and floors.
Felix’s history with Disaster Relief started in 1993, when his home was destroyed in the Great Flood of that year. “That’s where I got my heart for Disaster Relief,” the pastor said. “So many people came to help us, I wanted to turn it around.”
Illinois teams also responded to needs in Des Moines, where thousands of homeowners requested help after historic flooding. Jan Kragness, a Disaster Relief volunteer and chaplain from Williamson Association, posted on Facebook about her team’s experience in Iowa, including one man who came to faith in Christ.
“We were able to make a difference in 7 homes this week, not counting neighbors whose lives were touched. This is not because we are so great, but because we have a mighty Savior…”
For more information about opportunities for trained Disaster Relief opportunities, go to IBSA.org/dr. The next Disaster Relief training is Oct. 19-20 at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp in Pinckneyville.