Update on DBU Responds Efforts - September 1, 2017

DALLAS, TX – DBU is continuing its efforts to raise support for those effected by Hurricane Harvey.  To date, the DBU Responds fund totals more than $24,000, the first shipment of water bottle cases have left for Houston, and plans are in place to send a Response and Relief Missions Team to the affected area next week.

“We have been amazed at the outpouring of support we have seen throughout the country for those in the greater Houston area and are so encouraged for those members of the DBU Family who have joined in our efforts,” stated Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President. “It is also inspiring to see so many local churches step up and provide incredible support. In the coming weeks, please pray about contributing to the relief efforts either through your local church, relief organizations such as Texas Baptist Men, university efforts such as those undertaken by Houston Baptist University, or through the DBU Responds fund.”

Below is a statement that was sent to the DBU faculty and staff from Dr. Wright, detailing information about the DBU Responds effort.

DATE: September 1, 2017

TO: All Full-Time Faculty and Staff

FROM: Adam C. Wright

We will be taking a Response and Relief Missions Team of DBU faculty, staff, and students to Houston next weekend for a service day in partnership with Champion Forest Baptist Church and a time of fellowship and prayer with the Houston Baptist University campus community. While we are still working through several details about exactly where we will be serving on Saturday and what that will look like, I wanted you to be informed as we head into this Labor Day Weekend.

We have several DBU students from the Champion Forest Baptist Church area and ones who are members of this church. Champion Forest Baptist Church is also doing a wonderful job of organizing and mobilizing responders in their area, and after much assessment over the past 48 hours, we believe this would be an effective location to go and serve in light of many factors taken into consideration as we have planned the trip.

We will provide DBU transportation for the group and will be bringing trailers filled with much needed supplies to support ongoing relief efforts throughout the Houston area. Our DBU Police units will escort our group on the road to Houston and back. As a result of the challenges with accommodations in and around Houston, we will stay in the Madisonville Inn Friday night and have an opportunity to provide meals for and fellowship with the other disaster relief teams in the area.

Beginning on Tuesday of next week, we will have DBU trailers parked in front of Pilgrim Chapel where we will collect the following items that have been specifically requested by Champion Forest Baptist Church:

• Sheetrock saws
• Utility knives
• Hammers, sledge hammers, demolition hammers
• Crowbars/prybars/chalk lines
• Shovels (wide mouth for scooping debris)
• Push brooms, floor squeegees
• Gloves
• Respirator masks
• Extension cords
• Air mattress/Cots
• Sheets/Pillows
• Toiletries
• Towels
• Personal medical supplies

For faculty and staff who would like to go on this trip, we are asking that you make a $25 contribution to the DBU Responds fund to cover your cost of the trip. For those who are not able to go but would still like to participate, you can make a $25 contribution to the DBU Responds fund, and we will apply that toward any student who would like to go and serve next weekend that may not have the resources to contribute. It is our hope that we will be able to take every student who wants to go and serve free of charge. We currently have 103 DBU students who have expressed interest in going.

So many of you have already made a gift to the DBU Responds fund; however, if you have not already given and are looking for an opportunity to support this trip, would you prayerfully consider supporting our students in this way? All proceeds will be used to defray the costs associated with the overnight accommodations, travel, food, and supplies that will be used during the day of service and donated to those in need. If you would like to sponsor a DBU student to go on the trip, please make a $25 contribution to the DBU Responds Fund www.dbu.edu/dburesponds

Thank you for your continued prayer and overwhelming support of our friends in south and southeast Texas who have endured so much over the past week. We have collected well over 400 cases of water and just over $24,000 since we began our DBU Responds fund. We have already provided financial assistance to every DBU student and employee who has requested assistance. We have also been able to load the vehicles of some of our DBU students and employees who have gone home to affected areas so they can have supplies to take from DBU. DBU also made a large delivery of water to Texas Baptist Men to be used in the relief efforts. Additionally, DBU has made a financial gift to Texas Baptist Men and has also been able to support some of our alumni from affected areas in need.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus. You continue to inspire me.

Sincerely,
Adam C. Wright
DBU President