Hurricane Milton’s impact was massive, as one of the most powerful storms in recorded history. This comes to Florida as it continues to reel and recover from the destruction wrought by Helene last month, with record rainfall and storm surge damage, millions still without power, and deaths continuing to mount.
Terry Lindsey, Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Trinity Conference, is already working with local churches in Florida to provide support and relief for those who were impacted by the storm.
“We plan to scope where to start and hopefully have a few more locals join our team,” Terry reported from the First Methodist Church of Live Oak. He is there this week with Laura Lambert, Disaster Relief Coordinator of the Florida Conference.
In addition to Terry’s presence from Trinity Conference, Pastor Rick Pressel from Worthington Grace Point Community Church (Indiana) and Disaster Relief Coordinators from the Great Lakes Conference and the Mississippi West Tennessee Conference are converging on Live Oak to send relief.
“We will be heavy into it pretty soon. We have three more due to arrive from Lake Charles,” Lindsey said of even more support coming from Louisiana. Four more churches are slated to send help and supplies this week as well.
There are a few ways you can directly contribute to local churches and organizations now.
Faith Responders, who have already mobilized after Hurricane Helene, were recognized by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and would welcome any support for their efforts related to recovery from Milton as well.
Trinity Methodist Church in Port Charlotte, Florida, was drastically impacted by the storm. Many of their facilities are out of commission until proper health and safety checks can be completed. Pastor Clarice Setser has requested donations to support these efforts.
Click here to donate to Trinity Methodist Church in Port Charlotte.
Tornados from Hurricane Milton tore the roof off at Lakewood Park Church in Fort Pierce, Florida. Now a Global Methodist Congregation, the church’s old cross and flames stained-glass window remains a symbol of their past. Still, other parts of the church are actively being used as a distribution center for food and supplies in the community. A GoFundMe page has already been created to support repair and reconstruction.
Click here to donate to Lakewood Park Church’s GoFundMe account.
Currently, these two churches are the focus of Trinity Conference’s relief efforts, although you should also consider any relationships you may have in the areas affected by the storm. We will also send new updates as they are available on ways to support local ministries and their work.
As always, please prayerfully consider donating to our Conference’s disaster relief fund. 100% of your donations will go to fund relief and restoration efforts in affected areas. Click the blue “Give Now” button, then select “Disaster Relief Fund” from the dropdown menu on the donation form.
In the past month, we have collected more than $40,000 thanks to your faithful generosity. We are planning direct funds disbursements to Florida, North Georgia, North Carolina and MidSouth Annual Conferences of the GM Church so they can fund ongoing recovery and restoration efforts in their local church communities.
(select “Helene or Milton Disaster Relief” when prompted)
Donate by check using the following information:
• Make payable to “Global Methodist Church”
• Please include “Milton Disaster Relief” in the memo line
• Send to the following address:
Global Methodist Church
11905 Bowman Drive, Suite 501-A
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
For donations exceeding $5,000, please email finance@globalmethodist.org to confirm your contribution.
