Presbyterians And Reformed Baptists Organise Relief To Victims Of Hurricane

Dr. Fred Malone of First Baptist Church in Clinton, Louisiana says that his church has weathered the hurricane well. They do have branches and trees down all around them. However, the Lord has been very good in protecting the church building itself and the homes of the members of the church. They do not have electricity or water. The Malones are staying with Pastor Joe Neesom of First Baptist Church in Jackson, LA until they have electricity again. The church is organizing a “Hurricane Relief Fund”. They are having difficulty receiving information from churches who are in more devastated areas. They are receiving word that some of these churches and their congregations have been hit hard but are unable to contact the pastors or members themselves as there are no telephones. As they receive information from these churches who are Calvinistic/Founders friendly churches they will use the funds. If you wish to donate to this fund please send checks to: First Baptist Church, P O Box 552, Clinton, LA 70722

Please include a note telling them that these funds are for the “Hurricane Relief Fund”. They will send an acknowledgement and accounting of the funds as the funds are used. They will be organizing clean-up or rebuilding projects in the future. This may not take place for months but they will send out information on these projects as they arise. The Malones thank you for your prayers and concerns for them. Continue to pray that the Lord’s name will be spread as they seek to distribute these funds as needed. We have just received word that Slidell, LA, is ravaged and without Red Cross help. Our church people are loading up food, medical supplies, water, etc. to take over there and just distribute. There are dire medical needs with people laying ill and dying in open parks. Even though we have established the “hurricane relief fund” for theologically sympathetic churches, we can use other funds people send simply for benevolent relief to Slidell. Also, if any Association of Reformed Baptist Churches want to send supplies and /or workers to Slidell, they can do so. However, I must warn that there are no places to stay, no gasoline, no food, etc. Essentially, they will need to bring food and water and gasoline for themselves. We are 1 1/2 hours away and can host workers who come, but they must make sure they can get gasoline. There is no gas in Clinton, either. Lines are long in Baton Rouge and some have no gas there as well. There is no organized effort in Slidell. Our people, and any others, are just going to help and then coming back home.

HURRICANE KATRINA AFFECTS MANY PCA MEMBERS

Richard Bailey, Pastor of Plains Presbyterian Church in Zachary, Louisiana, reports that their church has been opened as an evacuation shelter. They have the ability to keep about 75 – 100 persons. “This is a big blow to Southeast Louisiana Presbytery. Bailey stated that they may have lost three churches, two church plants and a Ministry. They are: Desire Street Fellowship plant, Desire Street ministries. Three Rivers Presbyterian Church in Covington, Trinity Presbyterian in Slidell, Redeemer Church plant in New Orleans, and Grace Presbyterian Church, Metarie.

Rob Oates, pastor of Faith PCA in Brookhaven, Mississippi, has reported that about 250 people in the church are without a place to live as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Other areas of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, experienced significant damage. There are a number of PCA churches in these areas which include the following Presbyteries: Southeast Louisiana, Louisiana, Grace, Mississippi Valley, Southeast Alabama, Evangel and Gulf Coast.

+ Plains Presbyterian Church, 22929 Old Scenic Hwy., Zachary, LA 70791-6224 (225) 654-2960

WHERE TO HELP HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS

Mission to North America (Volunteer Efforts): Contact: Ron and Judy Haynes,rhaynes@pcanet.org
Phone: (636) 299-1424

Financial Donations:
MNA (designate for Hurricane Relief)
1700 N. Brown Rd., #101, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Credit card donations: http://www.pca-mna.org/
Nashville Presbytery (Coordinating disaster relief efforts)
http://www.nashvillepca.org/news.html.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PCUSA)
Cash, check, or money order may be sent to:
Presbyterian Church (USA), Individual Remittance Processing, PO Box
643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Credit card donations: (800) 872-3283