KATRINA - Report From The Frontlines

Mission America Coalition Partners Share the Love and Grace of Jesus
A Report from Rev. Jarvis Ward in Jackson, Mississippi

Just two weeks ago, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast of the U.S., bringing with it floods, wind and massive destruction. We’ve all watched – and many of us personally experienced – the after affects of this tragedy which has left all of us asking, “What can we do to help the victims?”

I’m glad to report that much that is being done by Mission America Coalition partners to help, and want to let you know of the many more ways that each of us can be involved in sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with the thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Living and ministering in and around Jackson, Mississippi has put me on the “frontlines” of the disaster. And, God is graciously opening many doors for me to serve by connecting local churches and Christian ministries that are responding directly and immediately to those who have been impacted by Katrina. We are also now seeking to connect the local groups with regional and national churches and ministries.

Keep in mind that we are still in the “Rescue” phase where we are working to provide immediate shelter, food, clothing, etc. This could continue for several more weeks as the search and rescue continues in some of the “hardest hit” spots on the coast. The “Recovery” phase follows and then finally the long term “Restoration” phase.

The compassionate Church (Body of Christ) moved by the compassionate Christ is making an eternal impact in the Gulf Coast region! We pray that it may intensify and enlarge until the entire region is overwhelmed with sustained, substantial Prayer, Care and Share bringing glory to God! The Body of Christ must, must stay engaged in this Biblical process!

There are many ways that you, your denomination, church or ministry can help in the coming days, weeks and years:

MONETARY DONATIONS: There are many fine ministries and organizations that have set up Katrina funds. Please prayerfully consider how and where God would have you donate financially for Katrina relief. The Mission America Coalition has set up a Katrina Ministry Fund that will allow the Coalition to work directly with local Churches and ministries who will be providing relief and support to the affected areas over the long haul. All funds donated will go directly to those on the frontline of need. Donate Online

SUPPLIES: Two relief distribution centers have been established. In Jackson, Mississippi (Christ United Methodist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, 601.956.6974) and on the coast (Compassion Alliance, Contact: Chad Holgerson 417.827.4389, www.Compassionalliance.org). In Jackson, CUMC will arrange for any truck sent with supplies to be unloaded and sorted (if needed). To allow the supplies to be distributed most quickly, please have the truck loaded with the pallets on the truck properly wrapped having all of the same items on each pallet (diapers on one pallet, shoes on another, first-aid kits, etc.), then the trucks may be driven directly to a POD (Point of Distribution) on the coast. Again, it would speed up the process of providing relief, if the sorting is done on the sending end.

VOLUNTEERS: Self-sustaining volunteers are needed on the coast immediately. Volunteers must be totally self-supporting, camping on site, with their own food, water, sleeping quarters, bathroom facility and tarps to cover supplies to be distributed.

HOUSING: Local churches are making the effort to shelter everyone in the unaffected areas and to keep the people until they secure permanent housing in that local area or in another city of their choice. MAC will forward your monetary donations to the Churches hosting any displaced people to help offset expenses.

In the coming days there will be many more ways to give money directly through churches, send truckloads of supplies and to send volunteers to help. Thank you in advance for what you have already done and will do to help the people of the Gulf Coast in the name of Christ. Please visit www.missionamerica.org to get updates so you and others can connect with the Church in the Gulf Coast region for ongoing ministry.

I want to share with you a final word for now from 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion ad the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”

May the Spirit of God energize the Church to do exceedingly abundantly more to glorify His name!

Your partner in Christ,

Rev. Jarvis Ward
MAC National Facilitator of City/Community Ministries