Click here to donate to tsunami relief

ATLANTA – All Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions field personnel working in the region impacted by Sunday’s devastating tsunamis have been contacted and were uninjured, although several families were displaced and threatened by flood waters. Field personnel are now beginning to assist their neighbors and communities as the death toll from earthquake-induced tidal waves climbed above 25,000.

"We have been in touch with our personnel in Asia and are grateful that all are safe," said Jack Snell, CBF Global Missions associate coordinator for field ministries. "But we grieve with those who suffered the consequences of the devastating earthquake and the ensuing massive tsunamis. As is often true, the brunt of the tragedy was born by those who are poor and powerless and who have the fewest resources to respond to their loss."

The Fellowship has already authorized each field unit to spend up to $5,000 in emergency relief as CBF Global Missions leaders begin to coordinate continued response with the Baptist World Alliance’s relief arm, Baptist World Aid.

"Our personnel in the areas affected are involved in lending emergency assistance and are exploring ways to respond to the long-term needs in appropriate ways," Snell said. "Please be in prayer that CBF can discover ways to be the presence of Christ to those whose lives have been so tragically disrupted."

The New York Times reported that more than 19,000 had lost their lives as of 8 a.m., Dec. 27, in coastal areas of India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives and Malaysia.

To contribute to the Fellowship’s effort to address the needs in Asia, send your financial gift to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, Ga., 30392. Make your check payable to CBF and indicate "#17016 tsunami relief" on the memo line.

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission