Let's Help Those Hurt by Hurricane Gustav

When Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana last week, the entire nation watched and prayed it would not repeat the devastation Hurricane Katrina delivered three years ago almost to the day. But in light of the potential for damage, the leaders of the Republican National Convention canceled most of the activities originally planned for the first day of the convention while the Gulf Coast rode out the storm.

Thankfully New Orleans was evacuated, the hurricane was not as severe as feared and the levees in New Orleans did not break. But the devastation from a hurricane the size of Gustav was widespread, and the needs are great.

Now Hurricane Ike, though not expected to make a direct hit on Louisiana, is threatening to bring more wind and rain into this area, exacerbating the difficulties residents are already experiencing.

Before the power was restored from Gustav and before it was clear where Ike would hit, an e-mail asking for help came from the storm-ravaged area. For me it was like a Macedonian call for aid from one of the “faith-based” ministries that did so much to help after Katrina--Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, pastored by my good friend Larry Stockstill.

The church received a lot of news media coverage after Katrina because President Bush stopped in to see the enormous amount of help they provided. Now the church needs help. As of Monday, about half the city of Baton Rouge still did not have power. Stockstill's church had no electricity on Sunday. They used generators so they could hold services; other churches in the city without power held services outside.

The previous Sunday many churches had no services because Gustav was on the way, and people were evacuating and moving farther inland.

I decided to devote my Strang Report to asking all our readers to respond generously, as I am personally doing. (Click Here to find out how you can help or just keep reading) Many of you responded to the need when hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit three years ago, and when the tsunami hit southeast Asia seven months before that. I am hoping we can raise tens of thousands of dollars to help Christians in the Louisiana area.

You probably know from the news media that the governmental agencies, including FEMA, did a better job this time of helping people. But government funds do not help churches—and many of them had no offerings for two Sundays in a row. For small churches operating near the breakeven point, the loss of half a month’s income can mean disaster financially, and that loss is not going to be made up by the government.

Jesus said that when the Son of Man comes to judge the nations, He will say to those who have cared for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked and those in prison, “‘Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matt. 25:40, NKJV). Let's not ignore the situation in Louisiana, trusting the government to take care of the need. Here is a chance for the “church to be the church” in helping other Christians.

I am asking you to give generously through our nonprofit partner, Christian Life Missions (CLM). We will send 100 percent of your donation to Bethany World Prayer Center, which will use the money where it is most needed. If you have in-kind services or would like to give directly to Bethany, the contact information is listed below.

Otherwise, just click here to give through CLM. We will pass your gifts along quickly and will report on how they were used.

I have the utmost confidence in Pastor Stockstill's integrity. That is why we are raising money to help his ministry help those in need.

Below is the e-mail Stockstill sent last weekend describing the need. Below that is an e-mail from Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council also asking for help. Perkins lives in Baton Rouge, so he knows the need firsthand.

Whether you give through Christian Life Missions or directly through Bethany, I ask you to give and to give generously.

Here is Pastor Stockstill's e-mail to me:

Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, La., is still feeling the devastating effects of Hurricane Gustav. Bethany is sheltering, feeding, and providing emergency provisions and relief for thousands of families in South Louisiana. You may not know, but 95 percent of South Louisiana is still without electrical power, and it may be 10-14 days before power is restored across the state.

This is an URGENT PLEA FOR HELP. If you or your organization could respond with a financial/in-kind contribution to offset these expenses, it would be greatly appreciated. It is our desire, as a church and foundation, to respond to this crisis situation by demonstrating Christlike compassion to those who are experiencing this awful tragedy. Would you consider helping us in this relief effort and we will promise faithful stewardship of your sacrificial investment.

For those able to assist, please send donations to:

Lifeline Foundation
c/o Bethany World Prayer Center
13855 Plank Rd.
Baker, LA 70714

Yours on behalf of those in need,

Larry Stockstill
Senior Pastor

Here is the e-mail from Tony Perkins:

We are just now getting information as to how widespread the impact of hurricane Gustav [is]. While the loss of life is nothing like Katrina because it did not hit the densely populated areas like New Orleans, the destruction of infrastructure is widespread. For us in Baton Rouge, it is much worse.

The preparation and response on behalf of federal, state and local officials is much better than three years ago. But the needs are just overwhelming.

So the churches (PRC Compassion Network) are working to fill the void.

The challenge we have this time is that Baton Rouge, [which] served as the primary distribution center for relief in Katrina, was among the hardest hit by Gustav. As a result, most of the Baton Rouge area is without power, fuel and food, making it difficult for us to work south into the hardest hit areas.

We have shelters where people are staying without power, food, ice and water.

Please pray for us, and if possible alert your network of pastors to see if they can assist with some of the churches' immediate needs. Here is what we need:

1) MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) or other food that requires little or no preparation
2) Water
3) Ice
4) Fuel
5) Generators
7) Tarps
8) Basic food items that can be cooked
9) Financial resources to the churches that will be off-line for a few weeks (no offerings) so they can take care of payroll and the basic needs of the church.

If you have contacts around Louisiana that could donate and truck these items in, please let me know as soon as possible.

Standing!

Tony Perkins

Well, that wraps it up. Pastors, if your church can take an offering to help, we will channel 100 percent to this project. Time is of the essence. Please act today.

God bless you for helping.

Steve Strang