We’d like to share an update on our fall 2022 initiative to facilitate financial support for communities affected by Hurricane Fiona. We have witnessed an outpouring of Christ’s love for our neighbourhoods after this historic storm that left significant damage in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in September 2022. CBAC churches and individuals gave significantly to support these relief efforts, and it’s made a tangible difference.
We’re thrilled to announce that approximately $35,500 thus far has been given through the CBAC towards our ministries’ relief efforts. CBAC churches in some of the hardest-hit areas sprang into action immediately after the storm, using benevolent funds to help their neighbourhoods. We celebrate that these funds have helped provide aid for the significant needs in these communities—including food security issues, property damage not covered by insurance, housing issues, and prolonged power outages.
In the wake of the storm, our CBAC office began to receive and forward financial donations towards relief efforts—from both a local and national group of giving churches and individuals—intended to support the benevolent work of several of our congregations in these affected areas after the storm. We also identified and met a financial need for one of our CBAC camps that was damaged by the storm.
Beyond the monetary support distributed by the CBAC, we have heard of even more resources that were given directly, including both financial gifts and teams of volunteers who travelled to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to help with the cleanup.
Rev. Dr. Terry Atkinson, the CBAC’s Interim Executive Minister, expressed his thanks to our CBAC family for their support for the relief efforts:
“As a result of the tragic storm that swept through our Atlantic Provinces, our Baptist churches, along with Canadian Baptist Ministries, responded in a wonderful way. Financially, funds came into our CBAC office to help communities that were hit by Fiona. Practically, volunteers from many of our churches travelled to affected areas to help with cleanup. We certainly saw many Christ-followers joining God in our neighbourhoods, and for this, we say thank you, and may God bless all those who gave of your finances, your time, and your energy.”
