RCA Global Mission Responds to 2017 Hurricanes

RCA Global Mission is responding to dire needs following Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria. Find out how you can help.

What’s left of a home on St. Thomas after Hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Maria

On September 19, Category 5 Hurricane Maria battered St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The next day, as a Category 4 storm, Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. Initial reports show severe flooding on St. Thomas and widespread damage on St. Croix and Puerto Rico. Gifts for hurricane relief will assist with long-term recovery and rebuilding in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Volunteers needed: St. Thomas Reformed Church has sprung into action to help its community after the hurricanes. With a retreat center near the church, they can host up to 20 volunteers (10-12 is ideal for now). They are looking for volunteers to help with clean up, positive programming for kids, and meal service. Get more details.

Hurricane Irma

On September 6, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma, which struck as a category five hurricane. More than 15 families from St. Thomas Reformed Church lost their homes, and others suffered varying levels of damage. Despite those challenges, the church fed hundreds of people a day after the storm. RCA Global Mission will partner with the church as it continues to reach out and help their neighbors in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Volunteers needed: St. Thomas Reformed Church has sprung into action to help its community after Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit. With a retreat center near the church, they can host up to 20 volunteers (10-12 is ideal for now). They are looking for volunteers to help with clean up, positive programming for kids, and meal service. Get more details.

• St. Thomas prepares for Hurricane Maria, NPR’s All Things Considered interview with Jeff Neevel (9-19-17)
• Pastor Jeff Neevel’s interview on NPR’s Here and Now about conditions in St. Thomas (9-13-17)
• ABC News update on St. Thomas, including an interview with pastor Jeff Neevel (9-13-17)
• Initial update on St. Thomas from the RCA (9-7-17)

Irma also battered the entire state of Florida. While there is serious damage in Florida, RCA churches and congregation members’ homes have avoided major damage. RCA Global Mission will work with those churches to help people in their communities who need it.

Download a bulletin insertto use in your church.

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey blazed ashore in Texas as a Category 4 hurricane on August 25, then stayed put for almost a week of torrential rain. RCA Global Mission is working with disaster response partners to respond to the catastrophic flooding. RCA Global Mission has disbursed an initial $20,000 to Carismah Church in Katy, Texas, and Christ the Redeemer Community Church in Houston. Both RCA church plants used the funds to assist neighbors who were evacuated due to flooding. Long-term recovery efforts will continue for years.

Watch this video to hear from a Katy, Texas, resident as she returns to her flooded home for the first time.

Watch this video to get an update on Harvey relief efforts from Christian Sebastia, pastor of Carismah Church. 

Read the latest on Hurricane Harvey from RCA Global Mission (9-11-17).

Read Global Mission’s initial report about Hurricane Harvey (8-28-17).

Download a bulletin insert to use in your congregation.