Oklahoma City: Relief is on the way...

"As I flew out of the OKC airport little over a week ago, little did I know the most destructive tornado in  14 years would devastate the area I love and spent the first 24 years of my life."

It was just a week ago that I wrote a special piece in my CityConnexx blog about my excitement for our very first mission team to choose Oklahoma City as its destination to serve this coming July. I have spent several days back in my hometown making the preparations for this team of 90+ from Colorado to converge in the heartland to give a week of their summer to those in need. Little did I know how much the need would be by the time this team arrives.

Oklahoma City is like no other. Its people are salt of the Earth. Its passion for things home grown like Sunday morning worship, the NBA Thunder, the whirl of an oil rig, and Toby Keith music is as strong as a mother’s love for her baby. The resolve of OKC from the 1995 bombing, to the 1999 tornado and now to the destruction in Moore and Shawnee will be yet again a model for any community that ever has to endure such a hardship. Even as I sit watching national news coverage, knowing that my Oklahoma family and friends are safe, I am challenged by the Spirit of the Sooner State as it shows an unparalleled sense of compassion for one another and a determination to show all forces that it will rebuild and prosper.

Across the country, people are and will be asking how can we help? The two obvious answers are 1) to pray…without ceasing and, 2) to send financial support as so much has been destroyed that will need to be replaced. We at CityConnexx would ask you to consider one more step as the weeks and months unfold on these devastated communities and the years of rebuilding start even as you read this humble article.

You see, it is our privilege, our honor and our calling to support the systems and organizations across the country who serve those in need or who cannot serve themselves. It is by no accident that the Lord open the doors He has for this Colorado group to have the desire to serve in this less than tropical or tourist drawing location. We know that God’s providence has seen fit for more and more people to be sensitive to crisis in the world around them...especially when it is so close to home.

So, as you look at the plans you have for your local ministry or organization in the weeks and months ahead, would you consider joining us as we facilitate our “Heartland: Help & Hope Tour”? Our plan is to partner with at least one new CityConnexx mission team a month for the remainder of this year. Let us help administer all the details for your lodging and ministry while you serve where the need is at its greatest. In fact, we want to partner with the OKC relief efforts so much, that the first group that registers for each of the remaining 6 months of the year will receive 1 free registration for 10 people registered. We believe in what short term mission teams can do that much…

Email or call us today! Let’s not let too much time pass while we have the ability to serve in the early days of recovery for a community all too well knows what it means to serve others. In closing, please commit to praying daily for the families and relief workers who will give tireless hours until the job is done…May God Bless America, Bless Oklahoma City and Bless those who call upon His name. (2 Chron. 7:14) 

"Because we lived, ate, slept and worked in the same area that these students in the ministry were too, I have a greater understanding of the community and the people we served. We got to live life together and most importantly worship our God as one body in Christ...sisters and brothers in Him." -Abigail, College Student, CityConnexx Illinois Mission Team