Advisory: Hunger Offering and Disaster Relief Announcement

“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:36-37 NIV)

Dear Texas Baptists family,

I am writing a special update to make an important announcement and to request your support in regard to a special Hunger Offering grant and hurricane relief for the Caribbean.

Jesus tells what we know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” It seems that human nature, regardless of century or culture, leads us to be selective about who we consider our neighbor, and, thus, whom we love.

Masterfully, Jesus ends his parable with a different question: “Who was a neighbor to the needy person?” In other words, the question we should ask ourselves is not “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom will we be neighbors?”

This week, as we think of the portion in the Great Commandment that calls us to love our neighbor, we are mindful of those who are feeling the effects of the “government shutdown” on the home front and heartbroken for those who are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

We are thankful for churches that have food pantries and hunger ministries. Many of these, we know, are stretched as they seek to serve clients who have a greater need due to not receiving government pay or benefits. In order to support these ministries as they meet needs, Texas Baptists is allocating a $100,000 grant to be distributed by the office of the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering. 

Churches engaged in feeding ministries can apply for an additional grant here. If you wish to contribute to the Hunger Offering, you can also do so here.

We are also grateful for Texans on Mission, the disaster relief ministry of Texas Baptists, who are prepared to provide meals and disaster relief in Jamaica in the days ahead, and also in Cuba through a collaboration with North Carolina. Texas Baptists is sending an initial $100,000 grant to support feeding efforts in the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

We are thankful for the generosity of Texas Baptists churches through the Cooperative Program and God’s provision through the stewardship of the resources he has entrusted to us that makes this possible. In particular, we are thankful for those legacy donors whose investment income continues to bless beyond their lifetime.

Although we are behind on Cooperative Program giving for the year, God has blessed us through legacy donors, and our staff has exercised fiscal discipline, allowing us to be ready to respond to needs such as these.

We are trusting God to provide for all the other needs in our budget through the end of the year.

Thank you for your support of kingdom work through the Cooperative Program. If you wish to give additional funds through the Cooperative Program or directly to the Hunger Offering or Texans on Mission, we welcome that.

Most of all, we welcome your prayers for both those who are in need and those who minister in such situations. Let’s be good neighbors. Let’s love our neighbors in Texas and beyond.

Blessings,
Julio Guarneri, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Texas Baptists