Texas Baptist Men Teams Focus on Spreading Hope, Easing Troubles in North and South Carolina
Katy, Texas – October 23, 2018 – It was just over a year ago that Katy’s Monte Vincent stood alongside friends and neighbors, wading through Hurricane Harvey’s floodwaters and repairing the Texas communities they called home. Now, he and many of those same individuals are doing their part in North and South Carolina to help those reeling from Hurricane Florence.
Vincent is area coordinator for the Coastal Plans for Texas Baptist Men, a Christian volunteer group dedicated to sharing Christ’s love and mobilizing to make a difference during natural disasters. As Hurricane Florence snaked its destructive path through the Carolinas, members headed to areas in need.
Teams work in two-week intervals, and typically sleep at host churches. They provide nearly everything they need during their stay, including their own bedding, power tools and cooking supplies.
“When we first get there, we feed the National Guard, fire department and police agencies while they go out to work on infrastructure,” Vincent explained. “We provide places for them to take showers and rest. Once they get power and everything back on, we bring in our other support teams to get to work.”
In extreme situations, Texas Baptist Men sends a mega-kitchen capable of feeding 30,000 people per day.
During their time in the Carolinas, the team has primarily been charged with cutting down trees which pose a risk to nearby homes. Even so, they also found other ways to help those in need.
“People need to talk when their home is hit by a flood, or wind damage from a tornado or hurricane. It’s like a death in the family,” said Vincent, who, as a “white hat,” oversees crews from Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. “They’re experiencing the anger, depression and hopelessness they would feel if they lost someone they loved. We spend a lot of time talking with homeowners and praying with them.”
Todd Pendergrass, executive pastor of administration for Katy’s Kingsland Baptist Church, Vincent’s home church, noted that teams don’t always have it easy out on the job.
“This time around, our guys have been fighting bears, bacteria and poison ivy — and that’s not an exaggeration,” he said with a laugh. “But that’s OK. They love what they’re doing. They love making a difference and showing people someone cares. They can tolerate a few obstacles.”
Vincent said the work — and even the roadblocks — are worth it when teams are helping others in need.
“When we get through with our work, you can really feel a sense of hope. These people we’re helping see a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “A big burden has been lifted off their shoulders, and they’re just so appreciative.”
Vincent’s team returned home to Texas on Oct. 14, but another Kingsland Baptist Church group recently set out for their own two-week stay to continue the team’s work.
“People will ask us why we’re out in these areas. It’s for the love of Christ,” he said. “‘Why do you do it?’ Because of the love of Christ. ‘How much do you get paid?’ We don’t get paid. We’re here to provide some help and hope.”
Texas Baptist Men is always searching new members to get involved with disaster relief efforts, and both men and women are eligible to serve. All applicants undergo background checks and training before taking on projects. For more information, visit tbmtx.org/disaster-relief or call 214.275.1100.
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- Crew members with Texas Baptist Men cut down compromised trees which threatened nearby homes following Hurricane Florence. Some trees stood 100 feet high and measured 4 to 5 feet in width.
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- A volunteer with Texas Baptist Men cuts down a tree weakened by Hurricane Florence’s devastating wind and water. Trees threatened the safety of nearby homes.
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- Command centers set up in North and South Carolina help the Texas Baptist Men coordinate their volunteer efforts. Pictured, from left, are Marcell Hunt, Monte Vincent and Ted Whiteman.
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- Crew members from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas came together to help people in North and South Carolina following Hurricane Florence’s impact. Much of their work involved cutting and clearing away trees damaged during the storm.
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- Baptist relief organizations set up camp with tools and necessities as they get to work in the Carolinas. The groups’ goals are to lend a helping hand and bring hope to those experiencing trouble.
About Kingsland Baptist Church
Founded in 1977 in Katy, Texas, Kingsland Baptist Church is committed to connecting God’s people to His word — and mobilizing people to make a difference in their communities. With a focus on families, mission work and bringing meaningful change to the community, Kingsland is changing lives, one home at a time. Kingsland operates out of two Katy locations — a Central Campus on Kingsland Boulevard, and a North Katy Campus, housed at Stockdick Junior High. For more information, visit kingsland.org or call 281.492.0785