Dear Pastor,

I have just talked to three of our Conference Superintendents about Hurricane Katrina. In each case their reports mirror what you have seen and heard on the news: devastation, lack of water, inadequate sanitation, scarcity of food, injuries, disease, and death.

IPHC conference leaders, David Stephens from the Alpha Conference, David Holton from Mid South, and Glenn Lafferty from Mississippi have requested the General Superintendent declare their conferences disaster areas. I have approved their requests and authorized DRUSA to proceed with immediate assistance. The South Carolina Mobile Feeding Kitchen, upon the request of the American Red Cross, begins serving lunch on September 2^nd at Moss Point, AL. Several conferences have already committed to send disaster recovery teams upon request. The New Horizon and North Carolina conferences have established supply collection points for commodities to be gathered from surrounding conferences and then sent to the most needed areas.

Never have I seen such damage and loss which prompts me to ask you to come together across our denomination and support this need.  This will not be a short term effort but will require our people to commit to a long term support ministry. Our relief efforts will focus on prayer, financial assistance, and support teams to assist in reaching out to our brothers and sisters in this time of critical need.

You may address love offerings to People to People Ministries, earmarked DRUSA, or through your conference. For information on DRUSA and opportunities that are available for you to assist in disaster recovery, please call Jack Kelley, DRUSA Coordinator, at 1-888-867-4153 or People to People Ministries at 1-888-474-2966.

Please share this request with your congregation and allow Him to use your church family. May the Lord’s richest blessings be with you and your people.

Sincerely, in Christ’s love,

James D. Leggett
General Superintendent