Following a deadly tsunami, International Ministries (IM) has provided $15,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) emergency relief grants to partners in Indonesia. Funds will be sent to Transform Aid International, a Baptist partner relief organization with vast experience in disaster management.

Additional relief funds are desperately needed. to give now.

The Indonesian island of Sulawesi was devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami on September 28, followed days later by a volcanic eruption. The death toll continues to mount. According to a report released on October 10 by the AHA Centre, 2,045 people are confirmed dead, 10,679 have been injured and 67,310 have been displaced from their homes.

Endorsed IM Global Servants Aaron and Valerie Osterbrock, who are currently attending language school in Indonesia, remain unharmed.

“A great immediate concern is the risk of disease outbreak and deterioration of health conditions,” reported Leslie Turley, area director for Southeast Asia and Japan. “International Ministries will be working with our partners in Indonesia, including the Union of Indonesia Baptist Churches and their relief arm, REBANA, as well as with the other organizations that will be coordinating with Baptist organizations. On-the-ground research and connection with local churches is being done by REBANA and representatives of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.”

American Baptists are responding. Baptists throughout the world are showing their concern through prayers and donations.

“It is through IM’s extensive network of ecumenical and national partners that we as American Baptists are able to provide relief in this area,” said Lisa Rothenberger, American Baptist World Relief Officer. “Your financial support is requested, as these recent events have brought devastation to hundreds of thousands, and for many resurfaced vivid psychological trauma caused by previous natural disasters in this nation of over 17,000 islands.”

Those wishing to support relief efforts can do so through an American Baptist church, by making a secure donation online here or by sending a check directly to International Ministries. Please designate your contributions “OGHS–Indonesia Relief.”

Checks sent directly to International Ministries should be made payable to “International Ministries” and sent to:

International Ministries
Attn: Gifts Processing
1003 W 9th Avenue, Ste A
King of Prussia, PA 19406

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.