Press Releases

MISSISSIPPI KATRINA UPDATE 9/01/05

We have five churches located on the coast on the I-10/Hwy 90 corridor and numerous other churches inland were affected.

In Pascagoula, the pastor is Myron Hairston of our Victory Praise and Worship Church of the Nazarene. The church is only approximately one mile from the coast. We suspect flooding and heavy wind damage due to its location. We have in communication with Pastor Myron Hairston who fled to Meridian.

I have spoken to Pastor Ted Pagel our Crossroads Church of the Nazarene in Gautier. The church is located at the I-10 and Hwy 57 intersection. He said they sustained window loss and the loss of their steeple. The church was just constructed and they occupied it as of January 9, 2006. It was built to sustain winds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Our former Biloxi First, now Gulf Coast Family Church of the Nazarene pastored by Dr. Ernie Gray. It is located in Ocean Springs on the south side of I-10. It was being used as a storm shelter. The pastor called Sunday evening and said that one of our retired ministers, Rev. Frank Wills was brought to the church from the hospital for shelter. He had been gravely ill for the past two weeks. Upon arriving at the church, he passed away. Pastor Ernie Gray called this morning. They have sustained heavy damage to their personal home. He was trying to fly his wife, Amelia out of the Mobile airport due to her health issues. The church has roof and water damage.

Our Gulfport First Church had just sold their facility a couple of months ago and are in the process of building approximately 5 miles north of I-10 and Hwy 49 interchange. They had just poured the slab on the new building. Pastor Walt Thompson's wife, Deborah had been battling with cancer for the past 2 years and passed away on Friday morning preceding the storm on Sunday. The services were to have been tomorrow, Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Gulf Coast Family Church. They have been postponed. Pastor Thompson is now on his way to Michigan for Debbie's memorial service there.

Our Long Beach Church of the Nazarene is pastored by Don Lambert. He weathered the storm in Jackson. His son checked on the parsonage and church building. It sustained approximately 3 feet of flood waters. They basically have lost everything in the parsonage.

The following churches are without utilities and suffered minimal damage: Magnolia (Pastor James Gillette), Columbia (Pastor Gay Bosley), Laurel First (Pastor Wayne Williams), Hattiesburg (Pastor Kermit Hudson), McComb, Merdian Fitkins (Pastor Charles Johnson) and Meridian First (Pastor Nathan Bargo).

We are still waiting on hearing from Lucedale (Pastor Ruby Walters), Prentiss (Pastor Pamela Epps), Laurel Bresee (Pastor Alvin Clay)

Everything as far north as Grenada (250 miles inland) sustained tree loss, roof damage, and massive utility outage. Jackson metro had 159,000 customers without utilities and a great number still without today. Fuel shortages are a real concern.

Our needs are for Crisis Care Kits (check NCM.org) , disposable diapers, baby formula, toilet paper, non-perishable foods, pre-cooked/non- refrigerated food types, bottled water, soaps and detergents.

Here in Jackson winds reached 100 mph, trees down, utilities out, but we feel fortunate. Currently we are in need of cash donations until we are able to find out specific needs. You may send donations to the general church office under Hurricane Katrina Mississippi.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for relief efforts can mark their checks payable to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene with "ACM1801 Hurricane Katrina Relief” in the memo line.

• On-line using VISA or MasterCard
• OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
• and mail to:
  General Treasurer
  6401 The Paseo
  Kansas City, MO 64131
• In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
• and mail to:
  Church of the Nazarene Canada
  20 Regan Road, Unit 9
  Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.