Florida Tornados

This letter is from our denominational head quarters regarding the Florida disaster. There are opportunities to get involved in helping with relief efforts. Read blow...

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EFCA Update Special Broadcast
February 3, 2007

FLORIDA TORNADO CRISIS RESPONSE

In the early morning hours Friday, central Florida was devastated by a series of deadly tornados. The weather service's preliminary report stated that "five long tracked super cell thunderstorms" ripped through the area spawning deadly tornados and winds. One storm tracked for 70 miles. According to news reports, at least 20 people have been killed, and the search for survivors is currently ongoing.

EFCA TouchGlobal, through its crisis response ministry EFCA Crisis Response, is in the beginning stages of organizing a response. EFCA Crisis Response staff has contacted EFCA churches in the area to assess their needs and the damage in their communities. Mark Lewis, EFCA Crisis Response director, spoke with Pastor John Hurling of Faith Community Church in Leesburg, FL, and found that their area was particularly hard hit. Pastor Hurling said the tornados touched down in certain places in wide swath. Their church family is mourning the loss of the wife of an elderly couple who lived in a mobile home park. The winds toppled a tree on their trailer, crushing the bedroom of the mobile home as the couple slept. Pastor Hurling reported that the community is still assessing missing persons and trying to locate those unaccounted.

EFCA Crisis Response has dispatched staff to the area bringing immediate relief supplies and equipment, and is working with several EFCA churches in the region to assess ongoing needs and ministry opportunities. Relief efforts may include hosting teams to help the community clean-up and recover. Please check the TouchGlobal website (http://www.touchglobal.org) in the days ahead for more information regarding relief efforts. If you have immediate questions, contact EFCA Crisis Response Ministry at (985) 893-0218 ext. 321.

Please pray for the church family and those impacted by the storms in Florida, and for the Church to show the love of Christ to those in need.

Also, please consider giving to help those impacted by the storms and the ongoing crisis response needs. To donate online using our secure server, go to:

https://fusion.efca.org/giving/?designation=Crisis%20Response%20Ministry%2021709-3928

You can also call our donor services team at (800) 745-2202 or mail in a donation. To mail in your donation, please make checks out to EFCA and send them to:

EFCA
Attn: Crisis Response Ministry #2021709-3928
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300