I’m proud to say I’m an Okie.

I can’t say I’ve always felt that way. I remember in college asking God to let me live anywhere but my home state. And, just like God’s sense of humor, the job He provided was less than a few miles from where I grew up and went to school. He even placed me at a job where I would have to explain the Oklahoma roots for quite some time–WEOKIE Credit Union. Honest. And I was the marketing director! (side note: They were an incredible company to work for and God blessed me abundantly in that experience)

But for the past several years, I’ve grown to love my fair state, despite its outbreaks of tornadoes and rate of obesity. This is never more true during this time of the year when our office is in the midst of producing the Oklahoma State Missions Offering promotional materials. I get an up close and personal look at how Oklahoma Baptists are making a difference and impacting our state with the gospel. Just last week I stood by our Disaster Relief Director, Sam Porter, and watched our video crew film him explaining the impact Disaster Relief volunteers have made to tornado victims in recent weeks.

We filmed several chaplains and once again I realized the breadth of ministry our trained volunteers are making. Whether they are chaplains in prisons, hospitals, on the oilfied or comforting disaster victims, their impact reaches way beyond the church walls. (the picture in this post is an Oklahoma chaplain comforting a tornado victim in Joplin, MO)

I also saw a church plant in downtown Oklahoma City that is impacting their community. They meet in an inner city school and have adopted this school as an integral part of who they are. I watched neighborhood children walk through the doors and knew they were in a safe place where they would be loved and taught the truth of Jesus.

Yes, there’s a lot to love about Oklahoma.

And, by the way, our Thunder NBA team didn’t do too bad this year.

Oklahoma knows the wrath of tornadoes. But, last week, the southeast experienced the fury of wind and destruction that took more than 300 lives. I’m always shocked by the post-tornado photos and video showing damaged communities and disaster-stricken neighborhoods.

Although those images are hard to watch, I’m confident of  the way the faith community responds in times of disaster. I’m never more proud to be a Southern Baptist when I see Disaster Relief teams mobilized within hours of natural disasters. Whether they are feeding people, cleaning up debris, or praying for a family, these volunteers are genuinely the hands and feet of Christ.

I know many people are wondering how they can help. You may be one. Most of us will not be asked to travel to disaster areas. But you can make a difference. Here are a few ways you can help victims:

1) Give to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. You can do this by making a contribution through your Southern Baptist State Convention or through the North American Mission Board. You can be confident that every dollar you give will go directly to help those in need. For more information, visit the BGCO website or the NAMB website.

2) My friend, Mitzi Eaker, formerly worked for national Woman’s Missionary Union as a Children’s Missions Consultant in Birmingham, AL. You can visit Mitzi’s website and find ways to directly help children who have been impacted by the storms.

3) You can pray for Disaster Relief volunteers. Pray for opportunities to share the love of Christ with those who find themselves dealing with loss of life and possessions.

4) Pray for churches whose buildings have been damaged or demolished. While the church is not a building, these congregations and communities of faith will have a long process of rebuilding the facility in which they met.

5) You can also give to WMU’s HEART Fund. Grants and money are distributed to organizations who respond to natural disasters.