Albany Minister’s Conference partners with Samaritan’s Purse to help with natural disaster recovery efforts

ALBANY, Ga. – Albany pastors made an impact Tuesday morning, as they’re helping out financially, not just here in southwest Georgia, but abroad as well.

The Albany Minister’s Conference is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse to help on two fronts…

The relief from Hurricane Idalia in Valdosta, and the fires that plagued Maui in August.

Lynne Rienstra with Samaritan’s purse told us they were originally planning to provide relief in Florida…

“…And then we realized that there’s significant damage here. There were about 500 homes damaged, right here in town. And so we began working at Morningside Baptist, that’s our host church for this response to Idalia. And, we’ll be here as long as the needs are there…” said Lynne Rienstra, Regional Director, Samaritan’s Purse.

The pastors were able to donate two thousand dollars to relief in Hawaii, with one thousand going to help the relief effort in Lowndes county.

While some may wonder why so much to help in Hawaii instead of back home, one pastor told us why both are important to lend a hand.

“They’re still members of us. They’re still part of the united states of America. And we should never forget that. I don’t care how people or where people are. If they’re hurting, our job is to meet them where they hurt,” said Rance Pettibone, Pastor, Second Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church.

But, Samaritan’s Purse has also been busy on the ground as well with the recovery efforts in Georgia.

“We’ve been able to fill some work orders already and serve some families, homeowners that were wiped out by the hurricane. Tarping roofs, felling trees that were half down, cleaning up yards, and spiritually supporting homeowners who are really at a loss in this moment,” said Rienstra.

Ultimately though the donations on both fronts are about one thing the pastors truly care about: giving back.

“If you give it from your heart, god has a way of multiplying it. Just give. If you can’t give but a dollar, you can give 50 cents,” said Pastor Pettibone.

While the money may not seem like much to some, Albany pastors, along with Samaritan’s purse are committed to making sure that those who’ve been impacted by natural disasters aren’t left with nothing.

This is the fourth time in as many years that Samaritan’s Purse has worked with the Albany Minister’s Conference to help provide aid to those impacted by severe weather.

Brian Roche reporting.

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