VALLEY FORGE, PA (6/17/20)—Food distribution, rent assistance, medical aid to homeless persons and child-care for low-income essential workers are among the projects that received grants during the first round of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) “COVID Recovery: Renewing Hope and Service” One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) emergency grants, awarded on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA.
“The requests for financial support began immediately within days of most churches shuttering their doors to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” says Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, ABHMS executive director. “We know American Baptists are doing their part, even as they are struggling to stay safe and healthy.
“Unlike other disasters that are contained to one part of the nation,” he continues, “this pandemic has been global. We realize the amount awarded is small in proportion to the need. We have received more than $500,000 in requests. However, we can disburse only what we receive in One Great Hour of Sharing offerings. We are working to disburse the money as quickly as we receive it. Every donation—100 percent of each gift—is given toward this relief-and-recovery effort.”
Sixty-eight American Baptist entities have applied for grants, and 40 have received grants for their local efforts. Grants will continue to be awarded through December 2020.
In addition to financial grants, on behalf of a national roundtable of American Baptist ministry partners, ABHMS has been compiling and sharing resources for addressing the challenges of the pandemic. The large variation of needs range from physical, financial and spiritual to relational and mental health-related.
American Baptists are asked to continue to make donations to abhms.org/ministry-opportunities/give-now-online/covid-19-recovery/ to address needs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.