Foursquare - Katrina Update - Sept. 14

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14
With damage in excess of $100 billion and over half a million people displaced, Hurricane Katrina will long be remembered as one of the most devastating natural disasters the world has ever known. The far-reaching effects cover an area of more than 90,000 square miles, and evacuees are scattered in more than 20 states. Rescue workers in the city of New Orleans continue to rescue residents from the city, with as many as 2800 rescues in one recent twenty-four hour period. It is feared that other cities, like Biloxi, Mississippi, with perhaps more severe damage than any other area, may never fully recover. This morning I was honored to be on a conference call with Foursquare leaders and pastors in the field, one of which is Pastor Kim Voisin of the Foursquare Church in Bourg, Louisiana remarked, “I’ve lived in Louisiana all my life and weathered many storms; and I’ve never seen destruction like this!” If you could hear his heart and the heart of other pastors in the region and the heart of our Foursquare Task Force to care for and to reach out to others you would be proud of the church at large.
It is into this great need that God’s people proclaim the word of the Lord and declare His promise that indeed, He will heal our land! Foursquare ministers, ministries and lay-leaders continue rescue and recovery efforts throughout the Gulf Coast. We are partnering with others to assess long-term needs and position our collective resources for maximum blessing during the long-term reconstruction that will follow. Perhaps of greatest concern are the overwhelming spiritual needs being expressed by survivors, emergency workers and relief volunteers who witness the human suffering on a daily basis. God is giving wisdom and grace to Foursquare leadership and field-based teams as these comprehensive needs are being compassionately met.
Here are just a few ways that Foursquare ministries are touching lives in the Gulf Coast:
LIFE East – Housing Provided to Evacuees Dormitories and apartments at the Foursquare Center for Spiritual Renewal (formerly Life East Bible College) are being made available as emergency housing for evacuees for up to 6 months of residency. To date, five families have been contacted for possible placement by arrangement with the Board of Community Action in Christiansburg, Virginia. In addition, the dormitories will allow for us to host more than 50 people once their placement has been confirmed.
WOW Jam Hosts “Hope and Destiny Concerts” Volunteers from Foursquare churches in Texas brought Bibles to evacuees last week when Stephen and Linda Tavani and their WOW Jam team hosted their first ministry event at an evacuation shelter. In this WOW Jam event for 1000 Katrina survivors, 200 people responded to the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and committed their lives to the Lord.
Foursquare Missions Press (FMP) – Outreach in Print In the first week following Katrina, in response to a request from Global Operations and Development, FMP shipped 10,000 gospel tracts, booklets and children’s videos for use in evacuation shelters in the Gulf region. This is the first of many partnerships that will result in printed materials and media being sent into the affected area as encouragement and spiritual resource for victims and workers.
Bourg, Louisiana – The People Reach Out With funds received from the National Church Office, the Bourg Foursquare Church was able to supply pillows and blankets for a shelter of 800 medical personnel, police, and firemen and their families – the last to be evacuated from the streets of New Orleans. The church has dedicated 3 acres of property to establish an RV park to house 26 families. To help meet the need for feeding these families, the church facility will be blessed with a fully equipped commercial kitchen. A team from Southern California is in route to Bourg to determine the scope of the project and begin the process of installation so the needs of these future residents will be met.
Here are a few of the success stories we are hearing from local church ministries that are reaching out to survivors of Hurricane Katrina:
Stockbridge, Georgia – Most Effective Effort in Metro Atlanta Network news out of Atlanta called the county effort (that includes our Stockbridge Church) “the most effective and organized relief effort in Metro Atlanta!” People from the Foursquare church in Stockbridge, Georgia are caring for 1000 Katrina survivors. In addition, they are responsible for preparing and trucking 6 ½ tons of supplies, food, and water to evacuees in Mississippi. The church continues to gather supplies and partners with Henry County Agencies to provide relief to evacuees. As relief efforts turn to reconstruction, teams from the Atlanta area and beyond will mobilize to go into the regions most devastated by the storms and floods.
Dream Center/Angelus Temple Every major national news agency is reporting on the incredible outreach of the Dream Center in Los Angeles to nearly 300 survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Through the generosity of God’s people, the initial needs of these residents have been met; however, there is still a need to provide gift cards, bus passes, and computers.
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How You Can Help;
President Bush Calls for Corporate Prayer This Friday, September 16, President Bush has called for a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. LFC will be open from noon until one pm and from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, with a time of corporate and personal prayer. We will provide you with prayer guides as well. Pastor Jack Hayford, President of The Foursquare Church encouraged:
“I am writing to encourage you, may we model the faith, conviction, passion, and spiritual sensitivity that characterize a people of bold belief, faith-filled intercession, and discerning action.”
Responding On Your Behalf, as of 3:00 pm (Pacific Time), on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, the Foursquare family has given a total of $377,215.39 designated for the relief efforts.
Foursquare churches from throughout the United States continue to offer prayer and receive special offerings with the goal of bringing hope and healing to the hundreds of thousands who are hurting following the tragic storm and subsequent events.
To date your giving has resulted in:
Gulf-Atlantic Resources – 48-foot truck of supplies from Central California churches
Life East Housing – Funding to make apartments and dormitories available
WOW Jam Ministries – Funding for outreach and “Hope and Destiny Concerts”
Arkansas Evacuee Assistance – Funding for regional distribution center
Dream Center/Angelus Temple – Transporting/housing for 300 evacuees
Impact Ministries – Regional assessment/distribution centers established
Louisiana Outreach – Assisted in funding shelter for 5000 evacuees
Mississippi Relief – Truckloads of personal supplies, food, and water
Somebody Cares – Shipping of cots and blankets to Louisiana Outreach
Texas Evacuee Care – Housing, personal care items, food, and water and more.