**Post was written last night (1/15) and posted 1/16 due to technical issues**
Many of you have surely been following the coverage of the devastation in Haiti. As I type this, I too am watching the coverage on a couple of cable news networks. A moment ago I received an e-mail from the Baptist General Convention of Texas with the following quote from Bill Arnold, the Texas Baptists Disaster Response Coordinator:
At this time, we are gathering donations to be used by Texas Baptists disaster relief to meet the needs of the people who are suffering in Haiti. This is an opportunity for Texas Baptists to minister in the name of Jesus to people who are suffering and who do not have the hope of Christ in their lives. We hope that in addition to meeting human needs that everything done will bring glory to God. In the end, we hope to see that more Haitians have come to know the love of Christ.”
I don’t know but the word OPPORTUNITY just did not settle well with me.
The word opportunity generally has a positive connotation. In fact, the primary definition of opportunity is:
1. A possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
I just don’t see what is positive or favorable in the set of circumstances that the Haitian people are having to deal with. How is this terrible tragedy an opportunity?
I also wonder how non-evangelicals and particularly those with ties to Haiti would respond to Arnold’s characterization of this tragedy as an “opportunity for Texas Baptists.”
I don’t argue that a distinctly Baptist Christian witness should be divorced from social efforts including disaster relief. But if Christian relief groups do not intend to exploit this disaster or any other disaster for evangelistic purposes, they probably should be careful not to portray this disaster or any disaster as an “opportunity” for ministry.
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There is a link on the White House web site (www.whitehouse.gov) to the American Red Cross and other diaster relief organizations. Following one of these links should be a safe way to get your money to the right place to help Haiti.