 Churches in VA Respond to the Needs of Haiti (UPDATE)
January 28, 2010 - Posted By KDS
Churches in
Virginia Respond to Haiti Earthquake
On January 12, Haiti experienced a devastating 7.0 earthquake with dozens of after-shocks. The death toll has exceeded 200,000. The aftermath is causing overwhelming challenges to victims who have lost family members, homes, jobs and even the basics to sustain daily life. However, the Church of God is proactively responding to the immediate needs of Haiti. On Wednesday, following the earthquake on Tuesday, the Virginia State Office immediately began seeking information about the situation and determining how we here in Virginia could best assist. Administrative Bishop Dr. Michael L. Baker personally talked with Dr. F.A. Beason, Caribbean Field Director of Church of God World Missions, about the early information which demonstrated catastrophic results. Dr. Baker also personally talked with Frank Allen, Executive Director of Hope Charitable Services, who is aggressively partnering with Operation Compassion and other humanitarian agencies. Further, Dr. Baker talked with Dr. Douglas LeRoy, Director of World Missions, regarding the status of the Churches of God and our agencies in Haiti. The International Offices indicates there are 1,068 local Church of God congregations and missions with over 250,000 members. The Church of God Virginia State Office distributed a memo from Dr. Baker with update information to the churches, pastors and ministers sharing the huge needs in Haiti shortly after the earthquake hit January 12. The call for assistance initiated a message of hope from Virginia churches and constituents. The response has been overwhelming with more than $100,000 in contributions from our state alone. As soon as the earthquake struck, Hope Charitable Services immediately prepared and sent via ship containers with emergency relief. Virginia was among the first response to the need. To date, Virginia has sent twelve containers to Haiti, preparing to send a 40' medical unit, and is assisting churches, schools, Church of God agencies and members in Haiti. The following are the churches that have mailed their checks in at the time of this article:
With the efforts of Azalea Garden Christian School in Norfolk, and their Sunday offerings along with the funds raised by the effort mentioned on WAVY 10, Azalea Garden Church of God in Virginia Beach raised over $11,500.00. Middlebrook's offering was $20,000.00 and Winchester sent in over $8,000.00. Numbers of Virginia churches generously contributed thousands to this worthy cause. Special thanks are extended to Frank Allen and Hope Charitable Services for their untiring assistance to Haiti as well as God's Pit Crew from Danville. We also commend Captain Jim Perkins of the Fairfax Fire Department who was with the first Search and Rescue Team to arrive in Haiti. Captain Perkins is a church member and Bible teacher of Covenant Church of God in Charlottesville, Virginia. To God be the Glory for the generous hearts and stewardship of Virginia Churches of God to the relief needs in Haiti. Every single penny will go directly to assist disaster in Haiti. Our prayers are with the every Haitian who has been dramatically touched by this devastating tragedy. A special word of extreme thanks and appreciation to every Virginia Church of God, pastor, minister and laity for your loving and caring heart for Haiti!
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