Baptist World Alliance, BWA News Release

Baptists urged to help American and Mexican flood victims

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The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is inviting Baptists to express solidarity with those affected by severe flooding in the American state of Colorado and in Mexico.

BWA General Secretary Neville Callam lamented the “loss of life, destruction of property and displacement of persons that are occurring on a massive scale” in the face of these two disasters. “We want to remind those who have been affected,” he added, “that we are standing with them in prayer and with our financial support.”

In Colorado, flood waters have spread across a range of almost 200 miles from north to south, affecting 17 counties. At least eight people have been killed. More than 11,000 were evacuated. Thousands of houses have been destroyed as well as hundreds of roads and bridges.

In Mexico, floodwaters swallowed homes and other property after some of the most damaging storms in decades killed at least 80 people across the country. Some 40,000 visitors and tourists were trapped in Acapulco, best known as one of Mexico’s oldest and most well-known beach resorts. The rains were spawned by two major storms that converged on Mexico from the Pacific and the Gulf Coast, triggering flash floods that washed away homes and caused landslides in eastern Mexico.

“We have an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are in need of a compassionate response in this time of disaster and destruction,” Callam said. “Our generous donations and gifts will help people cope with the new challenges they now have to face.”

Donations may be made online at www.bwanet.org/give, or sent to:
Baptist World Aid
c/o Baptist World Alliance
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
USA

Baptist World Alliance®
© September 19, 2013

The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, is a fellowship of 266 conventions and unions in 134 countries and territories comprising 51 million baptized believers in 178,000 churches. For more than 100 years, the Baptist World Alliance has networked the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.