Hurricane Ike
From the National A/G website:
In the week and a half since Hurricane Ike struck Texas, South Texas District officials have been busy trying to determine the extent of the storm's damage. According to Roger Bailey, South Texas disaster relief coordinator, making contact with local pastors has been a timely process because many areas have been out of cell phone service and the district office in Houston only regained use of its phones two days ago.
Bailey says initial contacts indicate that a number of churches sustained relatively minor damages during the storm, mostly due to high winds and flooding.
While some churches may be repaired in just several weeks, Bailey estimates that most churches will need at least two to three months to repair the damages. Currently, many churches are waiting on the approval of insurance adjusters before they can get to work.
"We need people who will volunteer and help," says Bailey. "We have two, maybe three churches that did not have insurance that we will need to repair totally by donations and volunteer help."
Individuals and teams interested in volunteering can contact Bailey at rbailey@stxag.org or (713) 455-1221.
Many church members living in towns right on the Gulf, such as Bay Cliff, Crystal Beach and Bridge City, lost homes or possessions. Starting today, residents of Galveston, the island city devastated by Hurricane Ike, were able to return to their homes.
Bailey reports that First Assembly of God in Galveston sustained only minor damages. The church building is now being used to set up a Red Cross shelter for the island. The shelter will be manned and supplied by the Red Cross and several AG ministers are serving the area as disaster relief chaplains.
In response to the disaster, the South Texas District has coordinated food distribution and is connecting pastors with people who can donate food and other supplies to distribute in their communities. The district will also be assisting pastors with their salaries during this time of need.
To date, Convoy of Hope, the Assemblies of God partner in disaster relief, has distributed approximately 4 million pounds of relief supplies, valued around $3 million, to communities affected by Hurricane Ike.
- End information from National A/G website -
You may also volunteer to assist with these efforts by clicking the Volunteer button and filling out the form. Any RRA member, Royal Rangers leader, or Assembly of God member, both Men and Women may volunteer to assist. Teams of at least 5 members are preferred but individuals are also needed in some areas. Once your application has been input we will review the information and check with the areas that need support. When we are able to place you we will provide you the contact information for the person handling the area that you will be assisting. You may also send me an e-mail with your questions or offers for assistance. My e-mail address is ronnie@royalrangersalumni.org
Thanks,
Ronnie Franklin
National RRA Vice President