VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/31/17)—In response to Hurricane Harvey’s devastation along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has released $10,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Emergency Disaster Relief funds to Church World Service on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA. More funds will be released as damage assessments are gathered in the coming weeks.
Making landfall on Aug. 25, Hurricane Harvey brought with it 130 mph winds and an unprecedented amount of torrential rainfall in some areas, resulting in flooding, power outages, downed trees and signs, major property damage, displaced residents, injuries and at least 38 fatalities.
American Baptists are urged to pray for and donate to those affected.
Donations designated to “OGHS-Hurricane Harvey” can be made through your church; by visiting https://www.abc-usa.org/and clicking “Give Online” at the top right of the page. In the “Comments” section, type “OGHS-Hurricane Harvey.” Or, mail to the attention of Kim Wilkins at American Baptist Home Mission Societies, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA, 19482-0851. One hundred percent of donations go to relief efforts; no dollars are retained for administrative costs. For more information about mailing a donation, contact Wilkins at 1-800-222-3872, x2413, or kim.wilkins@abhms.org.
More information about various ways you can help immediately is available in a Q&A developed by Victoria Goff, ABHMS national coordinator, Disaster-response Ministries.
One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches.
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.