From One Magazine…
National Association of Free Will Baptists to Assist Relief Efforts in Haiti
ANTIOCH, TN—In the wake of the January 12 earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti, the Free Will Baptist National Offices have received numerous phone calls from concerned individuals and churches across the nation offering donations of money, supplies, and volunteer labor.
Concerned individuals can contribute to the denomination’s Disaster Relief Fund to help underwrite both immediate and long-term assistance on the ravaged island. All donations will go directly to relief efforts. Ken Akers, director of Free Will Baptist Master’s Men, will oversee the distribution of these funds through ministry partners in Haiti.
Akers has been making annual trips to Haiti since 1999. He has established a partnership with Mountain Faith Mission, an independent, evangelical mission started by Lee and Molly Carroll in 1948. The well-respected organization has a long track record of service through an orphanage, bakery, school, trade school, and medical clinic. They also sponsor annual Vacation Bible Schools for thousands of children.
“Part of the difficulty in Haitian relief work is knowing your money will be used for its intended purpose,” Ken said. “We have a long-term working relationship with Mountain Faith Mission, and we can be confident they will use the funds where it will do the most good.”
In addition, Ken is assembling a team of medical professionals and construction workers for a relief trip to the island when travel restrictions are lifted.
Regional Free Will Baptist relief efforts are also underway. An eight-member team from three Free Will Baptist churches in Virginia and North Carolina arrived in Haiti not long before the earthquake struck. The mission objective has changed from evangelism training and medical assistance to relief for earthquake victims. You can support their efforts financially, provide supplies, and follow their progress at www.gatewayfwbchurch.com.
Impulse International Mission Trips, founded by Ohio Free Will Baptist Bill Hayes, has teamed up with other mission agencies to provide relief supplies. A team is currently making plans to deliver water and medical supplies. For more information, visit www.impulsemissions.com.
Arms of Compassion (ACM) ministries in Oklahoma, founded by Free Will Baptist pastor John M. Hewett, will be sending volunteers from around the nation to deliver medical supplies and water to quake victims. Learn more about their efforts at www.armsofcompassion.org.
Ken Akers sums up the drastic situation on the island. “On the best day, life in Haiti is difficult! After this week’s events, I can only imagine that it has become unbearable. While immediate emergency response is necessary, this is going to be a long-term relief effort, and I think that is where we come in. Six months from now, the need will still be great. Anything you do to help the people of Haiti will be deeply appreciated.”
Send contributions to:
NAFWB: Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 5002
Antioch, TN 37011-5002
Photo credit: Phyllis Bass, relief team member, Gateway Free Will Baptist Church (VA)
