On March 21, 2022, a tornado ripped through Jack County, leaving damaged homes, businesses and schools in its wake. The North Texas Conference and UMCOR have partnered with local officials to lead the recovery efforts, which will last for months, and even years, to come.
Through the Close to Home campaign, the North Texas Conference commits to continue walking alongside our faith family in Jack County, providing tangible gifts to meet the needs of individuals who lost or sustained damage to their primary residences in the tornado.
The Jack County Long Term Recovery Committee anticipates that the total recovery effort will cost nearly $2 million. Through Close to Home, the North Texas Conference hopes to bring at least one-quarter of that funding – $500,000 – to the table through one-time gifts, recurring gifts and pledges paid over the next two years.
If your church would like to make a multi-year commitment, please email Rev. Jeremy Basset.
“Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.”
– 2 Cor. 8:7
Jacksboro recovery effort continues, volunteers needed
The recovery effort in Jacksboro is now ramping up to the next important phase: beginning the actual rebuilding of people’s homes. The NTC disaster response team has spent the past two months managing cases from clients in need of assistance and has identified 70 clients to date who qualify. Their needs range from repairs to total rebuilding of their homes.
While the Center for Missional Outreach has hired on additional staff to supervise the construction work, they will soon need volunteer teams to work alongside the necessary licensed contractors.
Now is the time for churches to consider recruiting and registering teams to support this effort. Work will continue through at least the summer of 2024 and is suitable for adult, college-age, and high school youth teams (the latter accompanied by suitable adult sponsors).
Email Harva Kuykendall, the NTC Disaster Recovery Volunteer Coordinator, to register your team. For any additional queries, email Rev. Jeremy Basset.