Christian Leaders See Hope in the Face of Katrina Devastation
Christian leaders are expressing hope in ministering to hurricane victims while volunteering in church relief efforts.
Christian leaders are expressing hope in ministering to hurricane victims while volunteering in church relief efforts.
As relief organizations and volunteers are hard at work cleaning and rebuilding the landscape of the states hit by the hurricane, believers are reaching out to heal the affected people, comforting the victims through the Word of God.
"Our greatest opportunity and privilege is this: In the process of giving not only hope for today and tomorrow, hope for eternity can be shared with those to whom every church has the opportunity to minister," said Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, in a statement released by the Southern Baptist agency. "And that is the reason for which we as Christ-followers exist!"
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Presently, churches are providing clinic and shelters to displaced residents in the affected states. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is serving 300,000 hot meals a day, the Presbyterian Church is appealing for $10 million in disaster relief funds, and Christians are uniting in prayer via teleconferencing technology.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) estimates that three to four congregations are definitely underwater, although ELCA has still not receive news on the other eight churches in the area. Similarly, SBC as of yesterday afternoon estimated that a total of 106,000 local SBC members have been affected by the Katrina.
Despite the dire situation, church leaders find hope through relief efforts and the opportunity to minister to the victims.
Heather L. Feltman, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, communicated her joy and hope in ministering to people affected by Katrina through relief work.
“In the face of heart-breaking news and images of despair and destruction, I know it is hard to see the good news of the day,” Feltman said, in a statement released by the ELCA. “But today I rejoice in several important steps in the relief and recovery process…”
“I thank God for you all [Lutheran congregations]… the outpouring of compassion for each other in this disaster continues to overwhelm me,” she added.
Likewise, when Jared Peoples, Director of Public Relations for Southern Baptist Louisiana, was asked what hopeful or positive aspect could result from Katrina, he responded, “The hurricane has shown that when it is needed, people from all races and creed can come together for the common good to help.
“People will hopefully learn this lesson,” he added, “and continue to come together and help not only when disaster strikes. We might have differences but ultimately we should help one another... I see a lot of good coming out of this.”
As donations continue to pour into relief funds and the volunteer roster lengthens, church leaders’ hope for unity and the sharing of the Gospel also continues grow.
