Above: Don Myer, pastor of Idabel, Trinity, looks over the damage of the church’s building from the Nov. 4 tornado.
IDABEL—Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) is serving Idabel and surrounding areas after tornadic conditions struck southeastern Oklahoma Friday night, Nov. 4.
Idabel, Trinity’s building was destroyed after the Nov. 4 tornado.
Idabel, Trinity’s building was destroyed by a tornado, but Pastor Don Myer and the church family continue to persevere. The church met for worship in the parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 6 with 211 attending.
“It was a great service,” said Sam Porter, interim state DR director who attended Trinity’s Sunday morning service. “There was a great spirit of unity and support among church members. Though no one wants to experience it, disaster does bring people together.”
Many DR team members are involved with helping Trinity recover and have already complete seven work orders in the Idabel area. As of Monday morning, Nov. 7, DR has received 56 requests for help.
Idabel, First is serving as DR’s incident command station. DR feeding team served more than 300 meals since Saturday, Nov. 5, and will continue serving meals to the Idabel community.
Porter said DR has four chainsaw teams serving in Southeastern Oklahoma. Idabel, First is serving as DR’s incident command station, where feeding teams are preparing meals. Since Saturday, DR has served more than 300 meals.
“We appreciate Idabel, First hosting us,” Porter said. “They have been awesome, allowing us to use their kitchen. They also have offered their building for Trinity to use during this time. It is great to see the Oklahoma Baptist community helping and serving.”
DR also is helping Calera, First, as the church experienced damage from Friday’s storm. DR chainsaw teams from Bryan, Johnston-Marshall and Enon Associations are working together to help in Calera, which is near Durant.
DR has four chainsaw teams working in the Idabel community.
DR teams remain in Daytona Beach, Fla., serving those affected by Hurricane Ian. Porter reported more than 60 DR team members will continue to serve each week with mud out projects, and other states are helping too.
“We continue to serve people affected by disasters, which allows us to share the Gospel to those who need to hear it,” Porter said.
To support Oklahoma Baptist DR efforts with a tax-deductible financial gift, visit okdisasterhelp.org/donate.
Joe Ligon, senior associate executive director of Oklahoma Baptists, left, presents a check for $5,000 from Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief to Pastor Don Myer of Idabel, Trinity. The check will help defray costs associated with the loss of the church’s building.
