February 26, 2023 – As a response to the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, we have sent $10,000 to Hope Force International to assist with their relief efforts. Hope Force deployed a volunteer team in the past week to work with in-country local partners in Türkiye and set up FEMA-grade temporary shelters in affected villages. We thank you for your generosity toward efforts like these!

February 10, 2023 – We grieve with the people of Türkiye and Syria in the wake of the recent earthquake. The latest death toll is now over 41,000. Of those deaths, 35,400 have been in Türkiye and 5,814 have been in Syria. As many of you know, we have been supportive over the last several years of a missional partnership with friends in Beirut, Lebanon, which we call our Middle East North Africa Initiative. We are in communication with several missional partners in the area, including Hope Force International and UMCOR, as they assess the best ways to support the relief effort. If you would like to support the recovery process, we have set up our Disaster Relief Fund here at BUMC, and we will share your gifts with direct needs there.