CHARLOTTE, NC — Teams of crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) are on their way to El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, following a pair of shootings over the weekend. News reports say 20 people have died and 26 others were injured in El Paso. In Dayton, an additional nine people were killed and…
KATMANDU – As people in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu are facing a crisis of having no water, the people in Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Indian State of Bihar are begging for relief from raging floodwaters that have displaced ten of thousands. The death toll keeps rising as new reports filter in. The…
Littered with broken trees and damaged buildings, the Mozambican city of Beira looks like a war zone following Cyclone Idai. Children help shift the detritus among ripped up telephone and power poles. This catastrophe has killed hundreds and displaced thousands across southern Africa. Sadly, the death toll is expected to rise. In Mozambique, at least…
BEIRA – Flying into Beira, Mozambique, was a harrowing sight: hundreds upon hundreds of houses tangled together, their roofs ripped off and walls collapsed. Floods dominated the low-lying plains; hundreds of people having been drowned beneath the murky water. The fury of Cyclone Idai. At just 14, Celina’s entire world has been torn apart –…
BEIRA – At just 14 years old, he’s now living in a school in Beira, Mozambique, after being forced to flee his home when it was torn apart by Cyclone Idai. He remembers the sounds of the angry wind whirling around their bamboo house, and the zinc roofing flying off as the storm took hold….
CUCUTA – Hundreds and even thousands of Venezuelan migrants cross into Colombia each day, leaving behind chaos and deprivation. They’re hoping to find safety and economic opportunity in their neighbor nation or other countries farther south, such as Ecuador and Peru. But the journey is demanding, dangerous, and filled with uncertainty. Who knows how they’ll…
CHARLOTTE, NC — Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team are deploying to Jefferson City, MO, following a destructive EF-3 tornado that impacted an area of approximately three square miles, damaging more than 150 structures. The twister was one of more than a dozen that tore through the state earlier this week. “Chaplains with the Billy…
World Vison is warning that millions of children are at risk from cyclone Fani which has slammed into India’s eastern coastline, bringing torrential rains and winds of up to 200 km per hour. Thousands of people from areas along the coastline in India have been evacuated. Cyclone Fani is the first severe, cyclonic storm to…
CUCUTA, Colombia – Desperate families are fleeing into Colombia as neighboring Venezuela faces dire food shortages, power blackouts, and a collapsing national healthcare system. Not only are people dying from lack of nutrition and medical care, the rates of murder and suicide have also spiked. Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham brings this update on their…
Samaritan’s Purse is helping to meet the overwhelming physical and spiritual needs of thousands of migrants, Venezuelans in crisis who are daily entering Colombia. This may be the largest migrant crisis in Latin American history, and they’re offering relief from multiple locations—providing overnight shelter, hygiene kits, food, and primary medical care. As they serve, they…
After Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique, the situation on the ground is still dire. Catastrophic flooding and high winds left historic devastation across the east African nation. Tens of thousands of people remain displaced, food is scarce, clean water is limited, and reports of cholera and other waterborne illnesses are already making headlines. Some areas remain…
MOZAMBIQUE – About three weeks after Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique, the situation on the ground is still dire. Catastrophic flooding and high winds left historic devastation across the east African nation. Tens of thousands of people remain displaced, food is scarce, clean water is limited, and reports of cholera and other waterborne illnesses are already…
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers have been busy in Nebraska since March 22 assisting communities after catastrophic flooding struck the Midwest. They have been helping dozens of homeowners remove debris and damaged belongings and offering encouragement in Jesus’ Name. “You know it was a perfect storm really. Huge storm system came through, fell on frozen ground, fell…
FOREST, VA. — One organization is meeting the immediate needs of a community stricken by a recent disaster while simultaneously providing for the water needs of communities around the world. World Help, the Virginia-based international humanitarian organization, has activated its disaster response program to provide clean water to the victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe….
CHARLOTTE, NC — Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team are on-site in Dodge County, Neb., one of many areas across the Midwest that has been inundated with an historic level of flooding. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts called the disaster – which was caused by a combination of factors including a bomb cyclone, deeply frozen ground,…
Word and Deed: Serving God, Bridging Communities, Renewing LivesTHOMAS, ONTARIO – Word and Deed is a registered non-profit organization whose mission is based on the Bible directive found in Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father…
Kerala, India, now faces continued tragedy as water wells across the state appear to be drying up. According to the latest news from the flood-affected state, reported by the Times of India “A series of issues including soaring mercury levels, unprecedented dip in water level of rivers, sudden drying up of wells, and depletion of…
GFA (Gospel for Asia) shares example of reconciliation to mark International Day of Peace and inspire more peacemakers to prayer and action WILLS POINT, Texas—As political and religious divisions widen and deepen around the world, GFA (Gospel for Asia) hopes that a simple story of reconciliation and forgiveness will inspire more people to pray and…
This morning [Friday], Hurricane Florence reached the coast of North Carolina as a Category 1 storm, quickly flooding many coastal areas in North Carolina. Photo Source: NASA (with adaptations) Five deaths have been reported due to trees collapsing and other incidents. Thankfully most people had already evacuated and further evacuations and rescues are taking place…
With more than five confirmed deaths of leptospirosis, also known as “Rat Fever,” Kerala, India, suffers not only under the destruction of the floodwaters, but now a disease that is spreading across the state. Rat Fever is spread through contact with fluids from infected animals. With rotting carcasses and stagnant waters furthering the contamination, more…
As the people of Kerala recover in the aftermath of the worst flooding in nearly 100 years, the reality of devastation is beginning to sink in—and so is the need to repair, rebuild and start over again. Many flood survivors in this southern Indian state have lost all their belongings—including their means to earn a…
Dr. Daniel, director of Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported medical ministry in Asia, reflects on the flood situation in Kerala and his trips to rescue people who were stranded. “It is easy for me to sit back at home and watch the television and see the different things that are happening. But on the first day…
Indira is a mother of three who lost everything in the Kerala India Floods. Hear her heart-wrenching story and see what once was her home. Please continue praying for the recovery and rebuilding of these precious families. Give to the Disaster Relief Fund Help Disaster Relief teams serve survivors of flooding and other disasters. Donations…
GFA-supported workers rescue stranded, provide emergency supplies for India Flood victims. WILLS POINT, TEXAS —Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers are stepping up efforts to help with rescue and relief efforts in India’s flood-stricken Kerala state, as the death toll and number of displaced people in the worst flooding in nearly a century continue to climb. Though…
After hearing about the monsoon flooding in Kerala, India, the Mission Support Team serving at GFA’s headquarters in Wills Point, Texas, sprang to action to help spread awareness of the timely need. Many shifted their schedules to work long hours through the weekend to bring awareness to the devastation many are currently facing. After receiving…
Kerala, India, continues to face peril as the monsoon rains destroy homes, paddy fields and businesses. The death toll has risen, as reports are now estimating well over 100 lives have been lost, while some people are missing. Some houses are under 10 feet of water. Many people are still being rescued by helicopter after…
Kerala, India, is experiencing monsoon rains that have not been seen or experienced since 1924. Reports estimate that 70 to 100 lives have been taken due to the floodwaters. Many homes and businesses have been washed away by severe landslides and rivers overflowing because of the constant downpour. For the first time in its history,…
JAKARTA – The Indonesian island of Lombok was ravaged by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 05 August. CBS News reported today that the death toll has reached 426 and more than 350,000 people have been displaced. Indonesia’s national disaster agency estimates that the cost to repair the damage to infrastructure and property will exceed $340…
REDDING, CA – Witnesses to the devastation wrought by the Carr fire in Northern California have been describing the scene as apocalyptic. As of this morning, the fire is about 20 percent contained, but it has already consumed nearly 100,000 acres. Nearly 40,000 people have been evacuated. More than 500 buildings, including at least 300…
HAWAII – Christians on the big island of Hawaii, from the U.S. mainland, and other locations know “where they gonna go when the volcano blow,” to help those endangered or left homeless by the most recent eruptions of the islands’ famous Mt. Kilauea volcano. In an interview with CBN News, Makana Delovio, the pastor of…
Report revealing more than half of churchgoers don’t know of Jesus’ final directive spotlights importance of International Day for the Unreached call to reach those who have never heard gospel. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A new survey revealing that more than half of churchgoers don’t know of the Great Commission has spotlighted the importance of a…
By Greg Henshall from FEMA photo library – public domain via Wikimedia Commons WASHINGTON, DC – The Trump Administration has revised the language in FEMA Relief Fund rules to include local churches. The action follows a lawsuit filed by three Texas churches damaged during Hurricane Harvey. The three Houston-area churches filed a complaint in federal…
On Nov. 12, the deadliest earthquake of 2017, reaching a magnitude of 7.3, hit the border of Iran and Iraq. The death toll has topped 530, while 8,000 more people have been injured. “On Tuesday, Iranian officials called off rescue operations on the grounds there was little chance of finding more survivors from the quake,”…
K.P. Yohannan, founder and director of Gospel for Asia (GFA) in Wills Point, TX asked donors and supporters of the nonprofit to pray and do all they could for those in Hurricane Harvey’s path. Yohannan, pleaded with many to take time to pray. Now is the time to minister to the needs of the suffering…
Photo by National Weather Service In late April and early May, the states of Arkansas and Missouri were hit by heavy rain. This caused flooding. Per the Weather Channel, “Earlier this week, storms and heavy rainfall that began over the weekend triggered flooding that forced the closure of hundreds of roads in Missouri, Arkansas and…
Photo by Rexness In late March, Cyclone Debbie hit New South Wales, Australia, causing flooding. Per BBC, “In many towns floodwaters are continuing to rise after the category four cyclone saw some areas experience three times their average monthly rainfall on Thursday alone.” Several towns were declared disaster zones. News.co.au explains, “Several flood-affected northern NSW…
Photo by Ben Bowes In March, there was flooding in Colombia which devastated Mocoa, a capital city of one of the states in Colombia. Per ABC News, “Colombian authorities scrambled to deliver aid and return basic services like electricity and water to the wreckage of Mocoa, a city of 40,000 people devastated by floodwaters…
By DXR In early April, there was a series of storms in Alabama that was severe. Governor Brentley called a state of emergency. Per WVTM 13, “Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday declared a statewide State of Emergency in anticipation of severe weather moving through Alabama on Wednesday.” For those schools that were open (not…
http://www.ccfhr.noaa.gov/news/ophelia In October of 2016, Hurricane Matthew hit the shore of North Carolina. According to CNN, “The storm’s US death toll climbed to 21 on Monday, with North Carolina reporting 11 deaths, Florida reporting four, and three each in South Carolina and Georgia.” Those in the Southeast were ordered to evacuate. Fox News explains, “An…
More than 13 people from Alabama to Texas have died in August flooding. Louisiana caught the brunt of the damage as more than 30 inches fell in some parts of the state. “It is way worse … more widespread” than even Hurricane Katrina, said Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chad McCann, a member of…
Torrential rains fell in West Virginia beginning June 23, claiming 23 lives, damaging more than 1,200 homes and causing power outages for 30,000 homes and businesses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) called the flooding a “historic” tragedy. The flash flooding washed out roadways and building structures. Many homes were swept off their foundations. Severed…
Rwanda’s rainy season has caused higher than normal landslides that the nation’s disaster relief officials say have mostly claimed the lives of children among the 53 dead. Between January and April, landslides killed 67 others Rwandans. Rwanda incurred one of history’s greatest genocides in 1994 when 800,000 people died in about 90 days as rivals…
The “Beast,” Canadian wildfires that are larger in land mass than New York City, has forced the evacuation of Fort McMurray in the oil-rich sand reserves of northeast Alberta and is now reaching toward the province of Saskatchewan as it burns vast acres of forest. The oil-sand reserves are one of Canada’s major energy sources…
Violent spring weather has continued to wreak havoc on the nation’s midsection with a series of recent tornadoes stretching from Oklahoma to Kentucky. Seven tornadoes struck mostly rural Oklahoma communities, killing two people and leaving about five towns with 25-30 damaged homes each. One tornado registered as a powerful EF4, which can have winds up…
NIGERIA — It’s been 10 years since the Chibok Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria. More than 90 of the young women are still missing. On 14 April, parents of the girls gathered for a service to pray for the missing women. Yakubu Nkeki – Chibok, Nigeria: My name is Yakubu…
NIGERIA — In May 2023, Pastor Zachariah returned home to find his wife and son had been killed in an attack by Fulani militants. His home had also been burnt to the ground. To help him deal with his devastating loss, Nigerian Pastor Zachariah received trauma counselling and practical support from Open Doors partners. It…
NORTH KOREA — The Open Doors World Watch List 2024 ranks the countries where Christians count the highest cost for following Jesus. These are the 5 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Could praying put you in danger? Could going to church risk your life? Could following Jesus cost you your job, your…
NORTH KOREA — Christian freedom in the world is marked by a deterioration that seems to be getting worse. This is reflected in reports and statistics, such as those collected by the organization Open Doors. That entity has just published the World Persecution List 2024, with data related to the period between January and October…
NORTH KOREA — Longstanding Christian communities could disappear in parts of sub-Saharan Africa through a double blow of violent instability and authoritarian control. Christian minorities across east and west Africa face twin existential threats: violent disorder exploited by radical jihadists and autocratic governments backed by larger powers outside the region.This is one of the disturbing…
NORTH KOREA — Ji Ho* in North Korea counts the cost of following Jesus every day. Her father was taken away by police agents when his Bible was discovered, and she has to keep her faith secret – or face terrible consequences. *Name changed for security. Ji Ho*: I didn’t know what the book was,…
