Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief is growing with the help of Alabama

October 11, 2020

Gary Bearce helped start Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief and assisted other state teams as best he could, most recently working as a cleanup and recovery in Louisiana after Hurricane Laura. (Photo by Sam Evans)

In Alaska, disaster relief looks a little different than it does in Alabama. It’s less felling of trees, more dealing with earthquakes and forest fires and helping villages inundate when the snow melts and runs down the river.

But the factor that sparked Gary Bearce’s interest in building a state disaster relief team is the same reason why volunteers for disaster relief in Alabama – people are hurt and need to hear Jesus’ love and hope.

“I’ve been in that position for four years, and we’ve started from nothing,” said Pearce, who retired from sectarian action in Alaska so he could focus on moving the disaster relief team.

Strong partnerships

He said this effort was “closely related” to Baptist disaster relief in Alabama. “We greatly value the partnership that we have with the Alabama Baptist Convention.”

In 2019, Mark Wakefield, Alabama’s chief strategist for disaster relief, went to Alaska to lead pastor training. The team did not yet have heavy equipment, but they knew that there was a constant need for spiritual care after a disaster.

Then, with the help of money provided by other state agreements and work from volunteers, the team assembled a washing and shower trailer that they could take to disaster sites as an entry point to the front lines for their priests. There was only one problem – they had no way to solve it.

Around that time, Wakefield saw Pierce again in a meeting and asked if they had any needs. Pierce hesitated at first, but when Wakefield squeezed a little, he admitted they had a great need for a truck.

Wakefield returned to Alabama and spoke with leadership at the Alabama State Baptist Missions Board, and in early 2020, they were able to equip Alaska with a truck to tow their trailer.

“It gives us the opportunity to serve those on the front lines as well as speak with homeowners and share the love of Christ,” Pearce said. “Getting to this trailer as soon as possible is critical to our efforts.”

They partnered with the Salvation Army, providing showers and laundry alongside them while cooking meals for the community. They’ve also partnered with other organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, local first responders, and line crews who are working to help affected communities.

“Partners matter,” Pearce said.

And as Alaska Baptists grow their team, they are able to do more and more. Pierce recently spent time with Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Volunteers and others working in Louisiana after Hurricane Laura and learned more about conducting needs assessments and handling heavy equipment.

In the future, Pearce said, he will be able to bring teams from Alaska to help in the lower 48 states when the need arises.

He also knows that they are constantly preparing in case Alaska experiences another major earthquake once in a lifetime, which the state has experienced in the past.

“We have small earthquakes almost every day, and they are a reminder that another big earthquake might come,” he said.

Written by Grace Thornton

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos

ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin ExBulletin