Nazarenes Respond to Hurricane Katrina

"Of course, at this point, we have no idea what kind of damage has been done. No one is allowed to return just yet. We have quite a number of people in several churches in the path of the storm whom we are sure sustained some damage. I look fwd to hearing from you to see what we can do to help our people. Thank you." These were the Monday morning words of Gena Kay Milligan, office manager of the Louisiana District.

Our prayers ascend for the families and victims of the most devastating storm of the past 50 years.

While the hundreds of thousands were preparing to evacuate from the threatened path that Hurricane Katrina would take, Nazarene Disaster Response leaders were laying plans to respond and offer support for the victims. NDR South Central Regional Director Jerry Appleby was contacting resources to assist in recovery and Pastor Freddie Lindsey was preparing to truck twenty-five hundred Crisis Care Kits from Monroeville, Alabama as well as opening his church as a temporary shelter to many evacuees who came all the way from Louisiana.

Disaster recovery veteran Pastor Roy Shuck, Naples, FL, was organizing another volunteer group to go to Pearl River, Louisiana as a center point to meet and assist with needs in the general area, thirty miles from New Orleans. Volunteer. Louisiana Nazarene Disaster Response District Director Mark Gillette, Pineville, Louisiana, was contacting local churches to prepare to assist in recovery while the Louisiana District Office was opening their district camp grounds as a temporary shelter base for those who had to evacuate.

The same preparation focus is being made for the Mississippi District. Heart to Heart International is also working with NDR supporting victims with needs. NDR is a member of NVOAD (National Organizations Active in Disaster) and works along side of all faith groups and organizations like American Red Cross, FEMA, and other well-known volunteer recovery agencies.

Dozens of local churches in Louisiana and Mississippi, including the Louisiana District Campground, have opened their doors to provide shelter for those driven from their homes. NDR will partner with the American Red Cross, FEMA and other relief organizations to determine the most urgent needs and help those displaced by the storm.

"These areas are still recovering from the devastating hurricanes of last year," reports Dan Soliday, USA/Canada Compassionate Ministries Coordinator, "we must show the love of Christ through clean water; safe refuge, dry shelter; and hope in this time of great need."

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for relief efforts can mark their checks "ACM1799 Hurricane Katrina Relief" and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Immediate donations may also be made online at www.ncm.org. All donations remitted through the General Treasurer’s Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.