Press Releases
Hurricane Katrina Update 9/16/05
Nearly three weeks have passed since Hurricane Katrina carved a path
of destruction across the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama. Some areas of New Orleans are still flooded, but most emergency
operations have come to completion. Now, the grand task of clean-up
and rebuilding begins in earnest. Nazarenes from across the country
have volunteered their time and effort to help those in need.
Volunteer teams have been arriving in affected areas almost since
the storm began, helping to feed hundreds of evacuees, pass out Crisis
Care Kits, remove fallen trees and begin clean-up of local homes.
There is a waiting list of teams ready to serve when others have finished.
Rebuilding efforts will be ongoing and volunteer teams will be needed
for many months in the future.
Currently, Rev. David Bowser, Pastor of the Flint West Church of
the Nazarene in Michigan is directing 45 volunteers based in Slidell.
This team has three objectives this week: begin repairs of the flood
damage at the Slidell church; start clean-up at the home of Larry
Bolling, pastor of New Orleans First Church, who lives nearby; and
to begin work projects and clean-up for neighbors of the Slidell church.
All five churches on the Mississippi District, along the coast remain
intact. There was severe damage from flooding to buildings and many
homes. The Crossroads church in Gautier serves as the staging area
for relief efforts in Mississippi. Nearly 50 work teams have been
a part of clean-up efforts here already. Fitkin Memorial Church in
Meridian continues to serve as a shelter and distribution site for
evacuees as well as feeding over 100 people each day.
General Superintendents Dr. Jesse Middendorf and Dr. J.K. Warrick
toured the relief effort early this week accompanied by NCM USA/Canada
Coordinator Dan Soliday. Both were impressed by the massive response
of Nazarenes to those in need. Dr. Warrick visited a worship service
conducted by a volunteer team from Valparaiso, Indiana after a day
of work near Mobile, Alabama. He commented, “They will never
forget what you are doing for them. We’re here because God is
loving a broken world through us.”
Houston area churches on the South Texas District continue to minister
to those displaced by the storm. Many of the evacuees have been placed
in temporary housing, others are beginning the slow process of returning
home. Those who remain are receiving care and counsel from Nazarene
clergy and laypersons who have been trained to work in the Astrodome.
Recovery from Katrina will be a lengthy process; a group of district
and denominational leaders will meet in Houston next week to coordinate
the long-term response of the Church of the Nazarene. Christ has called
us to love those in need and NCM is committed to remaining with those
affected until they have fully recovered.
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 Gulf Coast Hurricane Response”
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2005
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