As we get deeper into our post Laura assessment and more of our neighbors return home, it has become apparent that the eastern end of our GTBN mission field experienced greater damage than initially thought. Generally speaking, SETX was spared the worst of Laura's destruction. There are exceptions. Indeed, for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed, this is as bad as Harvey. Still, overall,  the impact was far less than projected and there were few injures due to the storm itself. For this we rejoice.

Please view the video above for my personal report to you. To summarize, most of the churches and ministry families across GTBN came through the storm with minimal or no damage. Damages increase to the east, so that Bridge City, and even more so Orange, had the greater impact.

Several churches across the Network were damaged, with North Orange, Orange County Cowboy, Calvary West Orange, and Liberty having significant damage to their interiors and roofs. Winfree, MacArthur Heights, First Bridge City, Labelle, have roof damage. Cove and North Orange, along with many of our neighbors have fallen trees. It's amazing how few homes were lost considering the number of trees down. If there is something I have missed, or if you need assistance with recovery in your area, please let me know.

I have a ZOOM call tomorrow with my counterparts from Texas associations most impacted by Harvey and those in Louisiana. We hope to emerge from this call with a blueprint for church to church partnerships to help our partners across the Sabine in their long term recovery. Any GTBN churches who need similar assistance moving forward need to contact me soon and we will include you in the plan. I will have more to share on this later in the week.

We continue to have TBM and SBTC Disaster Relief ministries, along with many church teams local and otherwise, serving across the area. Please continue to distribute the GTBN Disaster Response Number, 409-812-5638 to persons seeking assistance. If the job does not fit the abilities of our Disaster Relief crews, we will do our best to find the right help. 

GTBN Disaster Relief Referral Number
409-812-5638

Thank you for the way you have so quickly responded to the needs of our communities and sister churches. This is great to see. May the Lord elevate His name across SETX through these efforts.If I can serve you, give me a call.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

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