Hurricane Helene relief / Poll workers

Pray the News – November 3^rd, 2024

It’s only been just over a month since Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction across the southeastern United States. One of the worst affected areas is East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I am a remote student at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, located in Elizabethton, in one of the eight worst-hit counties in the state. I will be going up there in a week’s time for a seminary intensive, and I even have to find a different way to get there since bridges, roads, and even interstates are not traversable.

A news report from Elizabethton this week says, “It has now been over a month since Hurricane Helene passed through Carter County and the recovery is continuing. Most of the critical problems, such as restoring electricity and water, have been solved for most of the county. There are still some heavily damaged areas … where even these first steps have not been accomplished.”

Cascade’s sending church, Hopwood Christian Church (located on my seminary campus), is partnering with Assistance and Resource Ministries in Elizabethton, TN, to gather and distribute needed supplies. I am planning to fill my car with as many supplies as I can gather to take with me. I’m inviting you to join me if you’d like to participate – please bring donations next Sunday as I leave the following day. The list being distributed has been updated this week to reflect the most pressing needs. Let’s continue to pray for those who are still affected and for those who are working to bring relief and assistance to devastated areas.

But now, thanks to a super suggestion from Mr. Don, we are going to pray for polling places all across the nation this week, and for our two polling rock stars, Kelsey and Bart – come on down!

Lord God, thank you for Kelsey and Bart’s commitment to justice and the kingdom of God. We pray that Kelsey and Bart would both be a presence of peace in the polling places where they will be working, on a day when some are worried about political violence. We thank you, Lord, that we can have unity without requiring uniformity, by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we pray for Kelsey and Bart, we pray for poll workers and polling places all over the nation. We ask for your divine protection, for mutual respect, for responsible teamwork, and for patience and stamina. Lord Jesus, we ask that your kingdom would come and your will would be done, on earth as it is in heaven, for the greater glory of God! Amen!

Assistance Relief Ministries, Elizabethton, TN

• Flashlights
• Trash Bags
• Denture Cleaner / Denture Adhesive
• Tylenol / Ibuprofen
• Zip Lock Storage Bags
• Rain Ponchos
• Winter gloves
• Thermal mylar blanket
• Beanies
• Disposable Aluminum Pans
• Pop Top Canned goods
• Rope for Clothes Line
• Toddler Sippy Cups
• Teething relief for babies