Salvation Army Commissioner Bassett joins Mary Marr calling for a “National Commitment Sunday”
on September 18
Purpose is to keep Christians focused and committed to responding as long as necessary
(CEN, Sept. 12) PHOENIX, Ariz. – In order to help ensure that Christian efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina will be sustained long-term, the Christian Emergency Network (CEN) and Salvation Army (SA) are calling on the Body of Christ to designate this Sunday, September 18 as “National Commitment Sunday.”
Salvation Army U.S Commissioner Todd Basset “As our nation unites and bows before Almighty God in prayer this week for the victims and grieving families, let us also seek Him for unified strength and love to care for those afflicted from Hurricane Katrina in Biblical proportion. We call upon each Christian to commit to what they will do or are already doing together as one Body of Christ on National Commitment Sunday, September 18.”
CEN CEO Mary Marr and Salvation Army Commissioner Todd Bassett said the purpose of the call is to help ensure that Christians nationwide will continue to pour out their time, talents, and love to Hurricane Katrina victims as long as necessary.
Marr explained, “Because our response to this tragedy is a reflection on our Lord, it is essential that we recognize that those impacted by our help influence their view of Jesus. So, CEN is calling for the Body of Christ to unite on National Commitment Sunday by a simple email response (commitment@cen911.com) to allow CEN to best serve our partners to implement and communicate their plans and distribute their resources well as good stewards over the coming months and years.”
Basset noted, “After 125 years of providing personal and worldwide response to disasters, the SA is now mobilizing for the largest response to a natural disaster since it began. Consequently, we understand the importance of joining with CEN to call on Christians to respond to this disaster with a message of prayer-care-share.” He noted that the National Commitment Sunday occurs on the same weekend as the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance called for by President Bush.
“These events occurring together should help us focus on what we must first do – pray – so that we can have the discernment to show care and share our resources in a manner pleasing to God,” added Marr.
The SA responds arm-in-arm with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Congressionally-mandated American Red Cross. The SA has provided leadership for many non-governmental agencies and faith-based groups for many years. Due to their seasoned history in responding meeting near-term needs including shelter, food, clothing, and financial aid, they are well-suited for the next phase of recovery regardless of their location and with their current infrastructure of 1,330 service centers which were in place well before this disaster struck.
The SA, while finalizing the direction for the next several months, will provide training and logistics to sustain their history of responding timely, effectively, and spiritually to the needs of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.
Marr said the importance of National Commitment Sunday cannot be overstated. “Scripture teaches that ‘Faith without works is dead.’ Well, works without the proper grounding is just as useless. That’s why CEN is calling on our 5,000 partners from ministries, media, and churches who have already committed to praying, caring and sharing Christ together, to now urge all Christians they know to respond to National Commitment Sunday.”
She continued, “We need to unite according to Scripture, define the needs clearly, and respond to them biblically together with one voice, not many voices. Currently, due to the scope and span of the disaster, a united understanding of what the Christian community is doing or will do is not clear. If we do not unite, the Lord’s name will not be lifted up. Christians need the favor of God for this hour.”
CEN is asking all partners many who have already made commitments to participate in National Commitment Sunday to inform CEN through the email response address noted earlier. “Let us know what is being done by you personally, your church, and your denomination, ministry or media outlet,” said Marr. She noted “This information will then allow CEN to highlight some of this information in order to keep the long-term effort sustained.”
She added, “This is a time for the body of Christ to unite in biblical proportions to serve the needs physically and emotionally – but more important spiritually – throughout the months and days ahead. By following the biblical model first outlined in the book of Nehemiah, Christians will be empowered to respond in God-honoring and fruitful ways.”
She concluded, “As we pray as a nation, let us unite in one voice with our talent, time, and resources to lovingly share the Hope of Christ, together. For, together, we will stand ready to respond in biblical proportions, to the honor and glory of Christ alone.
“Please, send an email affirming your participation in National Commitment Sunday.”
For interviews with CEN Founder/Chairman Mary Marr, contact Judy Hannestad at 701-484-5028 or by email by clicking here. Audio clips are also available with Mary Marr and CEN ministry partners, click here. (User-CEN; Password-Katrina).
Christian Emergency Network leads Christians to intelligently pray for, sensitively care for, and strategically share the gospel with victims involved in a national emergency.
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