As our friends in Jacksonville and other areas around the state continue along the road to recovery after the most recent round of tornadoes, I have been reminded of the truly heroic efforts of our Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers.
The Yellow Shirt Army, as they are known, responds quickly, efficiently and effectively every time disaster strikes, regardless of magnitude or location. I wish every Alabama Baptist church member could see them in action. Their servant-heartedness and orderly processes are remarkable traits of which we can be proud.
There are other heroes behind the scenes, however. I call these the silent heroes. You may be one, even as you read this. I am thinking of the many thousands of people who give generously to the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering and through the Cooperative Program.
One of the reasons our people are able to respond so quickly and so well is because they have the training and infrastructure already in place before a disaster occurs. The Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering helps make that possible.
Not only do the silent heroes make a difference when it comes to disasters, but by contributing to the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering, they are helping fund other Great Commission Ministries at the same time.
They are helping Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union equip people of all ages to live out a missions lifestyle. They are helping our church planters reach the unchurched and unengaged. They are serving to encourage and partner with missionaries and ministries who are passionately advancing the Gospel. They are helping churches that need revitalization and renewal.
Last year, these silent heroes helped us reach the $1 million goal for the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering. As we gear up for this year’s offering and for the Week of Prayer for State Missions in September, I can’t help but spend a little extra time in prayer thanking God for those who give generously and pray fervently—for they truly are heroes in my book.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
