Antony Duclos, Haitian congregation pastor at the San Diego Mid-City Church of the Nazarene, is currently leading a group of Southern California District Nazarenes on a mission trip to Haiti.
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Nazarenes in the News: Haiti Edition
Global Ministry Center
Friday, March 19, 2010
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
Youth ministry collects flip flops for Haiti
Venice, Florida
The youth ministry at Venice Church of the Nazarene in Venice, Florida, committed themselves to collecting 500 flip flops to send to Haiti. The youth felt called to do something to help those in need in Haiti and were determined to reach their goal. They collected flip flops at the church and around the community, and even used Facebook as a means to spread the word about their project. By the time the campaign ended, the youth ministry had surpassed their original goal, collecting close to 800 flip flops to send to children in Haiti.
The following stories appeared in the March 12 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
San Diego pastor leading SoCal team in Haiti
San Diego, California
Antony Duclos, Haitian congregation pastor at the San Diego Mid-City Church of the Nazarene, is currently leading a group of Southern California District Nazarenes on a mission trip to Haiti. According to the church, Duclos has a "huge heart for missions" and has traveled to several countries with churches showing the JESUS Film. There are two congregations in Haiti that were started by him before he left to come to the U.S. that recently have become fully organized Nazarene congregations. The congregations were meeting under trees, but still number in the 200-300's.
A report from the church states these are churches that were further out and away from the epicenter of the earthquakes, however, many of these families lost loved ones - and most had children in school in Port-au-Prince when the tragedy happened. Not all have been located, many are still in need, and "Pastor Antony" is on a mission to reach them as well.
Several Nazarene congregations in California have participated in raising funds for the specific needs of these Nazarenes that Pastor Antony will be helping.
For more on this and other Haiti projects from the church (including updates from the trip), see the following web site: haitinewnazarenes.blogspot.com.
The Mid-City Church is a multi-congregation church with seven languages represented in seven different congregations united in one place serving together. For more on this church, see midcitynazarene.org.
--NCN News Submissions
Update: Pong For Hope - Haiti Edition
Warrensburg, Missouri
Christ taught us about compassion when He told the parable of the Good Samaritan: Care for all, no matter who they may be. We are to "go and do likewise" as the Samaritan - caring for all people. We are called to respond when a need arises.
After a devastating earthquake, Haiti faces hardship and destitution; the call has gone out for aid.
The Lifeblood Youth Group and First Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg, Missouri, have taken this call to heart. They have redirected one of their annual events to raise funds for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The event [was] called PONG for Hope: Haiti Edition.
Warrensburg pastor Mark Hendrickson reports the March 5 event brought in $2,700, all of which is being donated to Haiti relief efforts through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. "We're super proud of our First Naz Warrensburg teens and their sponsors leading our church in this way of being involved in mission," said Hendrickson. "They played pong for around 36 hours ... even while we gathered in the sanctuary for morning worship services. We're stoked to be a part of a creatively missional church."
The event was covered by Kansas City's FOX-4 News (twice). To view the segment, click on the play icon below:
The following stories appeared in the March 5 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Beacon Light Church responds to Haiti crisis
Antigua and Barbuda
Waking up on the morning of Tuesday 12th January, 2010 no one would have thought that the island of Haiti would have been hit with a 7.0 earthquake. It happened and what are we doing about it. Romans 12:13 says share with God's people who are in need practice hospitality. Under the leadership of Pastor Christopher and Andrea Weekes, the Members of the Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene rose to the challenge and answered the call to help Haiti in their crisis.
Rev. Christopher Weekes is elated with the response from the members of his church and hands over food and supplies to Mr. Philmore Mullin Assistant Director of National Disaster of Antigua and Barbuda to help the people of Haiti.
New video to compliment Sunday School lesson on Haiti
Kansas City
WordAction Publishing of Nazarene Publishing House has released the following new video to compliment WordAction's previously released Sunday School lesson on Haiti. The video features an interview with Port-au-Prince resident Walliere Pierre, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator for Haiti.
To access the video, see the Nazarene MediaLibrary by clicking here. For the Sunday School lesson, see WordAction's web site by clicking here.
Nazarene church uses 5K run to raise nearly $14,000 for Haiti relief
Miami, Florida
The Redland Church of the Nazarene transformed a youth group fund raiser into a community 5K run that yielded over $13,500 for the Haiti Earthquake Relief.
On Saturday, February 27, over 160 gathered at the Redland Nazarene Church on the campus of Rainbow Christian Academy with 120 running and walking in the 5K. In the days preceding the event each of the runners solicited community and family sponsors for financial contributions to boost their efforts.
"After witnessing the unimaginable loss of life and destruction in Haiti we knew we had to do something out of the ordinary" said Redland's Youth & Discipleship pastor, Treavor Pound, who was the event coordinator. Both he and Lead Pastor Brad Fink participated in the event.
The route for the 5K run was on the busway next to busy U.S. 1 in the south Miami area. Fink said the participants with their "Run for Haiti" t-shirts created a lot of attention among local residents who at times stopped them to make an instant contribution.
The age of runners ranged from 4 to 70 years old. The run concluded back at the church where Pound awarded trophies to the various age category winners and Fink lead the entire group in a prayer.
The goal of the event was to raise $10,000. Fink said the actual amount contributed was $13,800 and there were still contributions coming in.
"We are thankful that the Church of the Nazarene has a substantial infrastructure which remains intact for Haiti," said Fink. "This assures that our contributions will make a difference quickly in the lives of many."
To see photos of this event, click on "View Slideshow."
--Redland Church of the Nazarene via NCN News submissions (All funds in U.S. dollars)
The following stories appeared in the February 26 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Six-year-old Indiana boy sells toys on eBay for Haiti
Angola, Indiana
(Indiana's NewsCenter, February 23) A six-year-old Angola boy is auctioning his favorite toys because he wants to help the people of Haiti.
"I know that they need help. That's why I'm giving them these soldiers," said six-year-old Bailey Hicks.
Anyone who has ever met Bailey knows he loves anything to do with the military, especially his Army men.
So after spending countless hours watching the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti, with his mother on television, Bailey wanted to help.
For the rest of this story, click here.
Update: Hicks' goal was to raise $199. The winning bid for Bailey's auction was $259.99. All of the money will be donated to Haiti through the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Church plans memorial service for Haiti missionary
Indianapolis, Indiana
(Flyergroup.com, February 22) Jeanne Acheson-Munos' untimely death in Haiti's catastrophic earthquake dealt a severe emotional blow to her church family at Westside Church of the Nazarene. But they've taken solace in the knowledge that she died doing what she loved.
Jeanne, 62, and her husband Jack served as missionaries in Haiti with Free Methodists World Missions for about five years, working with the national church in developing its presence there. Westside Church of the Nazarene, where Jeanne's father, R.B., is pastor emeritus, helped support the couple financially.
"What I remember of Jeanne is she had a strong personality - a person whom I would describe as a servant leader," said David Caudle, senior pastor at Westside. "She understood her call to ministry and that it involved being a servant and a leader."
For the rest of this story, click here.
California church does quick aid for Haiti
El Dorado, California
(Mountain Democrat, January 31) El Dorado's Church of the Nazarene has a "no dithering" policy when it comes to disaster relief. Two weeks ago the congregation of about 125 collected and donated $5,000 for its Compassionate Ministries programs already on the ground in Haiti. In addition to the cash, members purchased and packaged items for individual "Crisis Care Kits" that are already on the way to Miami for immediate transit to the beleaguered island.
Robert Scott dropped in to the Mountain Democrat offices "without an appointment" but with a story of incredible generosity backed up by experienced, competent practitioners.
In his former role as director of Global Missions for the International Church of the Nazarene, Scott has visited and worked in Haiti numerous times over the past 20 years. He said the Nazarene presence is second only to the Roman Catholic Church in Haiti.
"We have about 500 churches, 16 medical clinics, 125 schools and a seminary there," Scott noted. "And there is a comprehensive structure in place that provides everything from relief supplies to job training, with a heavy emphasis on health and medical issues. The programs serve and pastor to about 160,000 church members. And we have no missionaries," he said with pride.
No foreign missionaries are needed because the church at large and its service programs are "totally native operated," he explained.
For the full story, click here.
Note: Pastor Steve Dickerson tells NCN News the staff writer for the Democrat was so impressed by this story that the paper published it on one half of a full page in the paper. Dickerson reports calls have come to the church office from local people inquiring how other locals might give in the offering. The church is now planning a Work &Witness trip to Haiti in the fall.
Tents, food, cash collected for Haiti
Richmond, Virginia
(Times-Dispatch, February 21) Devastation in Haiti continues to inspire local efforts more than a month after the Jan. 12 earthquake.
A Haitian Earthquake Community Forum last week at the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross drew in contributions ranging from $265 in artworks sold at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center to a drive to fill two 40-foot seaworthy containers to ship to Haiti...
Tractor trailers were on site to receive donations for the seaworthy container shipments yesterday at 12 Wal-Mart stores from Petersburg to Ashland. The drive was organized by Deb Green, a volunteer with Nazarene Compassionate Ministry.
For the rest of this story, click here.
NOTE: For Canadians, the government of Canada will match funds donated for Haiti. For details, see Nazarene.ca by clicking here.
The following stories appeared in the February 19 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Help Haiti churches rebuild through Alabaster offerings
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
(Engage Magazine, February 18) Nazarene churches were damaged and some collapsed during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Fortunately for the Tabarre Church of the Nazarene, its building sustained only about five percent damage and has used the structure for continued ministry to its community in the wake of the disaster.
The Tabarre church almost didn't have a building at all. The congregation, which had been raising money for their own building, decided in 2008 to take the money they'd raised and use it for others instead of themselves. They stopped focusing on having their own building and planned a mission trip to the island of Sint Maarten.
After they diverted their funds to missions, they received an unexpected $10,000 (USD) from global Alabaster offerings to finish constructing their church.
For the rest of this story, click here.
Canada's Compassionate Resource Warehouse shipping six containers to Haiti
Victoria, British Columbia
(Engage Magazine, February 17) The Compassionate Resource Warehouse, on Vancouver Island, is in the process of filling six shipping containers with clothes, food, medical supplies, hygiene products and other needed items for Haitians who have lost homes, loved ones and livelihoods in the January 12 earthquake that devastated their capital city.
An affiliate of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada (NCMC), the warehouse is mobilizing not only Nazarenes but Canadians in general in support of Haiti.
The first container was shipped February 5 and the next one goes out February 17. The cause has drawn people from all over British Columbia to work side by side with Nazarenes in gathering required items, sorting donations at the warehouse and packing up the containers to ship, said Dell Marie Wergeland, who directs the warehouse ministry.
For the rest of the story, click here.
NNU students find creative way to help Haitian children
Nampa, Idaho
(NNU) On Monday, February 15, students from Northwest Nazarene University used their President's Day holiday to assist in a Haiti recovery effort.
Students and community members gathered in the Johnson Sports Center Monday morning to make blankets for Haitian children. The project is being sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Project Linus of Idaho. Project Linus defines their mission as providing love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need of the gift of a new handmade blanket, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."
Students who become "blanketeers" for the day were rewarded for their altruism through Disney's "Give a day, get a Disney day" program that trades a ticket to a Disney park for a day of volunteer service. NNU's student body government has organized a trip to Disneyland in April for all students who participated.
--NNU
The following stories appeared in the February 12 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Missouri paramedic helps Haiti's wounded
Harrisonville, Missouri
(Democrat-Missourian, February 11) Harrisonville paramedic Derek Coulter didn't know what to expect when he arrived in Haiti two weeks after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that shook the nation Jan. 12, but was prepared to help however he could.
"I had never been to Haiti before, so I didn't know what to expect," he said. "I didn't know what its baseline was, what normal was for Haiti."
After flying into Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jan. 25, Coulter and other volunteers from Heart to Heart International, a medical missions team based in Olathe, Kan., traveled eight hours by car before reaching Port au Prince, Haiti.
For the rest of the story, click here.
(Note: Heart to Heart was founded by Nazarene Gary Morsch and is partnering with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Coulter was the first paramedic to travel to Haiti with Heart to Heart. He is a member of the Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene and is the grandson of former general superintendent [1964-1980], Dr. S. George Coulter.)
PONG for Hope - Haiti edition
Warrensburg, Missouri
(NCN News submissions, February 10) Christ taught us about compassion when He told the parable of the Good Samaritan: Care for all, no matter who they may be. We are to "go and do likewise" as the Samaritan - caring for all people. We are called to respond when a need arises.
After a devastating earthquake, Haiti faces hardship and destitution; the call has gone out for aid.
The Lifeblood Youth Group and First Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg, Missouri, have taken this call to heart. They have redirected one of their annual events to raise funds for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The event is called PONG for Hope: Haiti Edition.
For the rest of this story, click here.
NCM-Canada response to Haiti earthquake
Brantford, Ontario
(Nazarene News-Canada, February 5) To date, over $140,000 (Canadian) has been given by Canadian Nazarenes. Much of that has been designated for "Canadian Foodgrains Bank" (CFGB), with more funds arriving daily at the National (Church of the Nazarene) Office. Goods are also pouring into the Compassionate Resource Warehouse in Victoria, British Columbia. Thank you for your very generous response!
Some of the initial donations have already been committed to an immediate relief project through Canadian Churches in Action (CCA). CCA is a partnership of several Canadian churches and church agencies, including Nazarene Compassionate Ministries-Canada, involved in non-food disaster response in Haiti. CCA is in the process of submitting a proposal to the Canadian government to receive matching funds for this project.
Additionally, NCM-Canada, along with at least seven other CFGB members, is planning a joint CFGB response in Haiti. CFGB has sent two staff members to Haiti to assess the food situation and make the initial connections with partners on the ground including NCM Haiti.
Related: One of the members of the Brantford Church of the Nazarene in Ontario has been selected to join a team of Nazarene medical professionals in Haiti. Wendy Lemp, a registered nurse at McMaster University Hospital, will join a team under the direction of Dr. Morsch from Heart to Heart International. Due to security issues, Wendy will only be in Haiti for a week, but she is very excited and anxious to assist with this intensive medical endeavour. She leaves on February 25th and will return on March 6th. Please pray for Wendy as she meets with her medical team and begins her ministry in Haiti. The Brantford congregation is helping to raise funds for Wendy's airfare.
--Nazarene News-Canada
The following stories appeared in the February 5 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Idaho woman survived Haiti quake by counting smiles and divine intervention
Boise, Idaho
(Boise NewsChannel 7, January 29) Katie Zook, the Northwest Nazarene University graduate who survived the Haiti earthquake talks. We first told you about Zook the day after the earthquake. We've kept you up-to-date on her progress. Now we hear her story in her words.
Scott Evans talked with her this afternoon via Skype. From the comfort of her hospital bed, Katie Zook took us back to that fateful day in Port au Prince. This is her story of the earthquake that killed over 100,000 people.
"It happened so quickly. The first thing that I remember was there was a very loud rumble," said Katie Zook.
It was the end of a long day for Katie Zook. She was four months into a two year mission for the Free Methodist Church. She was working on the top floor of a four story concrete building, when the now infamous Haiti earthquake struck.
"It started moving and I knew it was an earthquake, but you know, I've had earthquakes in Washington and this was nothing like that, it was horrendous, just so much movement," said Zook.
For the rest of the story (including video), click here.
Heart to Heart to Stay in Haiti for Years to Come
Kansas City, Missouri
(NBC 41, January 30) More than two weeks have passed since an earthquake ravaged Haiti. Now, one million remain homeless and illness is spreading quickly.
Doctor Gary Morsch says the people manning Kansas City's Heart to Heart organization's several sites just can't do enough.
"Every day, our doctors see 500 patients, many of them with terrible injuries and illnesses," said Morsch. "Rubble (is still) everywhere. Still bodies (are) being found. The smell of death (is) everywhere."
For the rest of this story, including video, click here.
(Note: Interviewees Gary Morsch, founder of Heart-to-Heart, and Gerald Smith, owner of Premier Studios, are both Nazarenes.)
For Haitians in Tampa Bay area hospitals, a taste of home
Tampa, Florida
(St. Pete Times, February 5) One woman brought plantains. Another donated rice. Someone took up a collection and bought a 10-pound chicken. They met in the low block building behind First Haitian Church of the Nazarene and spread their groceries on the counter. They had enough food to feed 15. They didn't know who would eat their meals. They said it didn't matter. They had heard that 45 Haitians - people from their homeland - had been brought to area hospitals after the earthquake. They had heard they were hungry.
"Haitians do not really like American food," Mary Mesidor, 55, said Tuesday as she put her plantains in a pot to boil. Mesidor grew up in Haiti, moved to the United States 19 years ago. Like the other volunteers, she belongs to the church.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Susanville Nazarenes plan medical mission to Haiti
Susanville, California
(Lassen News, February 2) Disaster relief wasn't part of the plan when missions teams from Susanville Church of the Nazarene recruited people for trips to Haiti and the Philippines. But typhoons and the biggest earthquake in more than 100 years changed the plans.
"Every time we plan to go somewhere, they have a disaster," Pastor Joe Sturgeon recently quoted Steve Jones, a medical provider who went on a medical mission to the Philippines and attends the church, located north of Banner Lassen Medical Center on Highway 139.
The church is still recruiting to help fill a team for a medical mission to Haiti in March on the heels of the successful medical mission to the Philippines completed in November. Typhoons struck just before three teams of medical personnel and volunteers left for the islands in the Pacific. Plans for routine medical exams quickly evolved, allowing the teams to provide serious medical attention.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Husband, wife trade places working in Haiti
Burlington, North Carolina
(Times-News, January 29) Linda Stargel spent more than a week in Haiti helping the wounded but returned to her Burlington home Monday so her husband, Scott Stargel, could take her place.
While Linda is a registered nurse and was providing medical care with Heart to Heart International, Scott, who left Burlington Tuesday, will be working with the Church of the Nazarene to coordinate the distribution of food, water and medical supplies to the people in need in Haiti.
"There are a lot of donations coming in," Linda Stargel said. "Finding a fair and safe way to distribute it is really challenging. Hopefully, my husband is going to be able to help with that."
Before moving to Burlington five years ago, the Stargels spent nine years in Haiti working with the Church of the Nazarene. They both can speak French and Creole and is part of the reason that Linda Stargel hurried to Haiti following the earthquake on Jan. 12.
For the rest of the story, click here:
'Pray For Our Sweet Country, Haiti'
Boston, Massachusetts
(WBUR, January 18) In a place of worship no bigger than the room of a funeral parlor, the sweet chorus of 200 Haitian-Americans sing "I have a song in my heart" with enough grief to make the walls shake.
On River Street in Mattapan, in the heart of Boston's Haitian community, sits the Haitian Church of the Nazarene. The converted former health clinic also serves as headquarters for the faith-based Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center.
"God is good all the time," exclaims 25-year-old Ruth Pierre, who tries but can't keep from crying over loss that has touched everyone in her community.
"I just want to say thank you, God, for watching over all the ones who are alive and made it. And I pray that there are many more who are alive even though we don't how many have made it. All I can do is pray."
For the rest of this story, which includes audio, click here.
Curses or Praises?
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
(Orangeville Citizen, January 28) Much has been said and written since the devastating earthquake that shook the island of Haiti on January 12. The magnitude of destruction wrought on the densely populated capital city and surrounding areas will go down in history as being catastrophic. The rippling affect around the world has been profound as there are Haitian relatives living in far flung areas, many of whom are still waiting to hear if their loved ones survived. Haiti has been a destination for caring churches and organizations around the world who have had long-term aid activities there, some for generations. Aid workers, missionaries, volunteers and their families are counted among the injured, dead and missing. It is difficult to imagine the depths of suffering.
Whenever there is tragedy, there will always be those who curse, lay blame and try to give explanation. Even some who count themselves as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ will often lay the blame on God, claiming was an act of God's wrath as punishment on the people affected.
For the rest of this column, written by Pastor Bob and Maxine McLellan from the Shelburne Grace Church of the Nazarene, click here.
The following stories appeared in the January 29 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Church of the Nazarene Foundation report
Olathe, Kansas
(January 28) The Church of the Nazarene Foundation (CNF) reports that approximately $55,000 has been given through Donor-Advised Funds for Haiti relief efforts. Donors use non-cash gifts like stock and real estate to fund a Donor-Advised Fund (aka Family Foundation) and advise the distribution of those funds for ministry.
According to the IRS, all cash gifts that go directly for the relief of victims in Haiti from January 11, 2010, to March 1, 2010, are eligible to receive tax credit on the 2009 income tax return.
Two Nazarene chaplains serving in Haiti (updated)
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
(NCN News submissions, January 27) Two Church of the Nazarene U.S. Navy chaplains are now in Haiti. Chaplain Jeff Mason is aboard the USNS Comfort (the hospital ship) and Chaplain Richard Bonnette is with Marines of the 22nd MEU on board the USS Bataan. The photo accompanying this article, provided by the Bonnette family, is of Chaplain Bonnette distributing food and water near Port-au-Prince. Each person receives three MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and four bottles of water.
--Dwight C. Jennings, Chaplaincy Director for the Church of the Nazarene, and the Bonnette family
Children's Ministries International Haiti Lesson for Children
Global Ministries Center
(January 27) In light of the tragic earthquake that devastated the country and people of Haiti, Children's Ministries International is providing the following resource to enable children's leaders and teachers in Sunday School and other small group ministries to help children better understand this crisis event and respond. To view/download the lesson, click here.
From Hong Kong to Haiti with Love
Hong Kong, Asia-Pacific Region
(January 27) Immediately after hearing the news about the tragedy in Haiti, Hong Kong District Superintendent Edmond Kwong wrote the Asia-Pacific Regional Office seeking more information about event to share with his churches. Upon reviewing the news articles and video clips run by NCM, NCN News, and Engage Magazine, Nazarenes in Hong Kong responded generously. Just this week, Rev. Kwong sent in an offering of HK$31,650.10 (US4,080) for the relief of the Haiti earthquake victims.
Column: Local Haitian congregation still singing praises in aftermath of earthquake
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(The Grand Rapids Press, January 23) The photos of Haiti appear on the big screen like images from a nightmare.
The collapsed Presidential Palace. A mass of flattened buildings in Port-au-Prince. A woman weeping over her devastated country. Against the backdrop of these heart-breaking scenes comes a remarkable sound: singing. "You're the God of this city, you're the king of these people, you're the Lord of this nation, you are."
The congregation is on its feet, praising God and mourning families and friends killed by the mighty Haiti earthquake. "You're the light in the darkness, you're the hope of the hopeless, you're the peace to the restless, you are."
Pastor Mathieu Pierre conducts a prayer service for victims of the Haiti earthquake Friday at the West International Church of the Nazarene.To my left, a young woman cries quietly while her little boy explores the pew. Smartly dressed young men stand stoically. Across the aisle, a woman sings with closed eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. "There is no one like our God. Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city."
For the rest of this column, click here.
Church spirit shines in Haiti help
Mackay, Australia
(Daily Mercury, January 27) The Australian spirit was alive and well at Mackay's Church of the Nazarene yesterday, as volunteers rallied to assemble more than 100 crisis kits to send to Haiti.
The kits will be distributed to those affected by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12, which the Haitian Government estimates to have killed about 150,000 people.
Among those who gave up their Australia Day to assemble the kits was Betty Thomson.
"We all need to think of others at a time like this," Ms Thomson said.
"We can't really comprehend how bad it is over there, with buildings fallen over and a guy living on Coca Cola for 12 days, and people still stuck in the rubble.
"We're such a lucky country and it's up to us to help them."
For the rest of the story, click here.
Alabama church helps with Haiti relief efforts
Gardendale, Alabama
(North Jefferson News, January 27) A Gardendale church is joining in the international effort help the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
Gardendale Church of the Nazarene is collecting items, mostly medical supplies, to send to the stricken country...
On Tuesday, Gardendale Church of the Nazarene pastor John Parrish was driving to Kansas City to drop off tents for shipment to Haiti. The tents, which are also on the disaster response needs list, will provide temporary shelter for people who have been homeless since the earthquake.
For the full story, click here.
The following stories appeared in the January 22 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Illinois church energized by $5,000 and mandate to 'gain all you can' for Haiti
Bloomington, Illinois
(Engage magazine, January 22) Pastor Scott Sherwood stared in dismay at the sermon he had planned to preach January 17.
Bloomington, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene is in a sermon series on stewardship. Just days after a January 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, Sherwood was about to preach about making money.
The series is based on John Wesley's mandate for believers to "Gain all you can, save all you can and give all you can." Sherwood was going to speak on Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:15-29 in which a master gave his servants bags of money with the instruction to invest it and bring back more than he had given them.
... Sunday morning, the congregation was surprised when each of the 260 in attendance received a sealed envelope with instructions not to open it.
For the rest of the story, click here.
For an additional story on this project, see the following: Church puts on thinking cap to raise money for Haiti
Asia-Pacific Nazarenes respond quickly to recent Haiti earthquake crisis
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
(NCN News-Asia Pacific, January 21) Late last year, Nazarenes around the world responded with prayer and generous offerings to natural disasters that struck four different locations on the Asia-Pacific Region. Now, in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti, Asia-Pacific Nazarenes are likewise interceding and giving to help the hurting people of Haiti. General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter was on hand in East Timor to help with the effort.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Bandage rollers help Haiti: Ravenna church group responds to aid request
Ravenna, Ohio
(Record-Courier, January 21) The "Bandage Rollers" at the Ravenna First Church of the Nazarene have always found treasure in what some people consider trash.
Now, the thrifty group is working overtime to meet the needs of people affected by the earthquakes in Haiti.
The group of seniors, which had been meeting every other Tuesday in the church basement for the past 14 years, has stepped up its effort. This week, the group has met daily to make and package thousands of bandages, made from torn, stained and threadbare sheets.
"They can be old, worn out sheets, white, solid, printed or colored," said Mary Anna Blankenship, who leads the group. "The only thing we can't use is flannel sheets or ones that are more than 55 percent polyester. They don't make good bandages."
The group typically makes bandages to send with doctors headed to Papua New Guinea. Bandages also are sent to India and Africa when there is a need.
This time, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has made a request for bandages to be sent to Haiti. The group is mailing boxes of bandages to Florida, where a group bound for Haiti has agreed to take them on its ship.
For the rest of the story, click here.
St. Louis church's donations multiply - with more possibilities ahead
St. Louis, Missouri
(NCN News submissions, January 18) General Superintendent Emeritus James H. Diehl reports the St. Louis, Missouri, Harvester Church of the Nazarene held a special offering on Sunday, January 16, and approximately $20,000 was collected for relief efforts in Haiti. In addition, Teri Craig, who collects medical supplies at the church, has packaged 20 boxes of medical supplies valued at over $100,000. However, according to senior pastor Harold Wedel, the story doesn't end there. A lady at the St. John's hospital told Craig she would collect some things to send through the Harvester Church of the Nazarene. She later contacted Craig again and said, "If you will draw up an Email telling me what you will be doing with these materials, I will send it to every hospital in the St. John's network nation-wide asking them to send it through the Church of the Nazarene."
"It was a good day in the Lord!" said Wedel.
Local denominations do what they can to help out with relief in Haiti after earthquake
Butler, New Jersey
(NorthJersey, January 17) The massive 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12 at approximately 5 p.m. EST has displaced and affected hundreds of thousands of Haitians, marking the first natural tragedy for the decade, and one of the worst to occur since the Dec. 26, 2004 earthquake in Indonesia, and Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 28, 2005 in New Orleans.
But even though Haiti is approximately 1,500 miles from New Jersey, local religious organizations are doing what they can to help out with sending relief to the country. The houses of worship in Suburban Trends area are at the forefront in organizing and collecting donations.
Pastor Chuck Corradino with the Church of Nazarene in Butler said that the church held a special sermon on Thursday to discuss the impact, and will be taking collections on Sunday and reflecting on the incident.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Bedford County reaches out to help Haiti
Shelbyville, Tennessee
(Times-Gazette, January 17) Chesley Enloe of Shelbyville has been to Haiti three times, both on business and for mission work. He first went in 1980 with concrete contractor Reggie Smith to build an orphanage on Haiti's central plateau.
Enloe is active in the Church of the Nazarene, serving as director of compassionate ministries for the East Tennessee District Missions Council. His third trip to Haiti was a sort of working vacation, during which he stayed on a Nazarene mission campus in Petion-ville.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Burlington nurse returns to Haiti to help quake victims
Burlington, North Carolina
(Times-News, NCN News Submissions, January 16) Linda Stargel and her family were watching TV reports about the devastating earthquake that on Tuesday decimated Haiti when they heard that doctors and nurses were needed desperately.
It was Stargel's 12-year-old daughter who asked, "Mom, are you going?"
It was a logical question. Stargel is a registered nurse. She and her husband Scott are both very familiar with island nation's capital, Port-au-Prince. Before moving to Burlington five years ago so Linda could finish a master's degree at Duke Divinity School, the Stargels spent nine years in Haiti working with the Church of the Nazarene.
Linda Stargel, who can speak French and Creole, trained pastors in first aid and in community health because pastors are often the first to know about medical needs.
For the rest of the story, which was on the front page of the newspaper, click here.
Atwater feels aftershocks of Haiti quake
Atwater, California
(Merced Sun-Star, January 16) This week, Dustin and Olivia Metcalf, co-pastors of Atwater First Church of the Nazarene, and their teen teammates watched images of horror unfold from the 7.0 earthquake that laid waste to the poor island.
They saw footage and photos of places they'd stood in front of in November, now crushed and broken. "I started to cry," says Olivia. "We were devastated." Adds Dustin: "People don't understand that Port-au-Prince was a mess before the earthquake. The level of poverty and what they deal with on a day-to- day basis -- the city was a mess."
For the rest of the story about this church who recently returned from a mission trip to Haiti, click here.
PLNU Community Responds to Earthquake in Haiti
San Diego, California
(PLNU, January 15) As governments and nonprofit organizations from around the world offer assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Point Loma Nazarene University students, faculty, and staff are doing their part to help.
"Words are inadequate to express the devastation and pain that the people in Haiti are experiencing. We weep with those who weep in these days. Our thoughts and prayers are with all people in Haiti," said Dr. Mary Paul, PLNU's vice president for spiritual development.
Prayers are being offered in chapel and through e-mail. The university is encouraging people to give to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries' disaster relief efforts. Gifts can be given online at www.ncm.org/haitiearthquake.
In addition, students are writing cards to the local Haitian Nazarene Church members, offering prayer and encouragement as many await word from extended family and friends during this crisis.
Clean the World prepares soap shipment for Haiti
Orlando, Florida
(Engage magazine, January 14) Acquiring soap and sanitary water was already a daily struggle for many of the 9 million Haitians living on an average of less than $2 a day in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake in the capital city of Port-au-Prince dramatically worsened Haitians' prospects to avoid numerous preventable diseases as utilities are disrupted and people search in vain for adequate shelter.
However, an ingenious idea spawned by a Nazarene and his friend in Florida earlier this year may help Haitians offset some of the unsanitary conditions they're facing.
For the rest of this story, see Engage Magazine by clicking here.
Stories to share? Send them to submitnews@ncnnews.com.
Haiti: How to help
Compiled by NCN News
Youth ministry collects flip flops for Haiti
Venice, Florida
The youth ministry at Venice Church of the Nazarene in Venice, Florida, committed themselves to collecting 500 flip flops to send to Haiti. The youth felt called to do something to help those in need in Haiti and were determined to reach their goal. They collected flip flops at the church and around the community, and even used Facebook as a means to spread the word about their project. By the time the campaign ended, the youth ministry had surpassed their original goal, collecting close to 800 flip flops to send to children in Haiti.
The following stories appeared in the March 12 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
San Diego pastor leading SoCal team in Haiti
San Diego, California
Antony Duclos, Haitian congregation pastor at the San Diego Mid-City Church of the Nazarene, is currently leading a group of Southern California District Nazarenes on a mission trip to Haiti. According to the church, Duclos has a "huge heart for missions" and has traveled to several countries with churches showing the JESUS Film. There are two congregations in Haiti that were started by him before he left to come to the U.S. that recently have become fully organized Nazarene congregations. The congregations were meeting under trees, but still number in the 200-300's.
A report from the church states these are churches that were further out and away from the epicenter of the earthquakes, however, many of these families lost loved ones - and most had children in school in Port-au-Prince when the tragedy happened. Not all have been located, many are still in need, and "Pastor Antony" is on a mission to reach them as well.
Several Nazarene congregations in California have participated in raising funds for the specific needs of these Nazarenes that Pastor Antony will be helping.
For more on this and other Haiti projects from the church (including updates from the trip), see the following web site: haitinewnazarenes.blogspot.com.
The Mid-City Church is a multi-congregation church with seven languages represented in seven different congregations united in one place serving together. For more on this church, see midcitynazarene.org.
--NCN News Submissions
Update: Pong For Hope - Haiti Edition
Warrensburg, Missouri
Christ taught us about compassion when He told the parable of the Good Samaritan: Care for all, no matter who they may be. We are to "go and do likewise" as the Samaritan - caring for all people. We are called to respond when a need arises.
After a devastating earthquake, Haiti faces hardship and destitution; the call has gone out for aid.
The Lifeblood Youth Group and First Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg, Missouri, have taken this call to heart. They have redirected one of their annual events to raise funds for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The event [was] called PONG for Hope: Haiti Edition.
Warrensburg pastor Mark Hendrickson reports the March 5 event brought in $2,700, all of which is being donated to Haiti relief efforts through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. "We're super proud of our First Naz Warrensburg teens and their sponsors leading our church in this way of being involved in mission," said Hendrickson. "They played pong for around 36 hours ... even while we gathered in the sanctuary for morning worship services. We're stoked to be a part of a creatively missional church."
The event was covered by Kansas City's FOX-4 News (twice). To view the segment, click on the play icon below:
The following stories appeared in the March 5 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Beacon Light Church responds to Haiti crisis
Antigua and Barbuda
Waking up on the morning of Tuesday 12th January, 2010 no one would have thought that the island of Haiti would have been hit with a 7.0 earthquake. It happened and what are we doing about it. Romans 12:13 says share with God's people who are in need practice hospitality. Under the leadership of Pastor Christopher and Andrea Weekes, the Members of the Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene rose to the challenge and answered the call to help Haiti in their crisis.
Rev. Christopher Weekes is elated with the response from the members of his church and hands over food and supplies to Mr. Philmore Mullin Assistant Director of National Disaster of Antigua and Barbuda to help the people of Haiti.
New video to compliment Sunday School lesson on Haiti
Kansas City
WordAction Publishing of Nazarene Publishing House has released the following new video to compliment WordAction's previously released Sunday School lesson on Haiti. The video features an interview with Port-au-Prince resident Walliere Pierre, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator for Haiti.
To access the video, see the Nazarene MediaLibrary by clicking here. For the Sunday School lesson, see WordAction's web site by clicking here.
Nazarene church uses 5K run to raise nearly $14,000 for Haiti relief
Miami, Florida
The Redland Church of the Nazarene transformed a youth group fund raiser into a community 5K run that yielded over $13,500 for the Haiti Earthquake Relief.
On Saturday, February 27, over 160 gathered at the Redland Nazarene Church on the campus of Rainbow Christian Academy with 120 running and walking in the 5K. In the days preceding the event each of the runners solicited community and family sponsors for financial contributions to boost their efforts.
"After witnessing the unimaginable loss of life and destruction in Haiti we knew we had to do something out of the ordinary" said Redland's Youth & Discipleship pastor, Treavor Pound, who was the event coordinator. Both he and Lead Pastor Brad Fink participated in the event.
The route for the 5K run was on the busway next to busy U.S. 1 in the south Miami area. Fink said the participants with their "Run for Haiti" t-shirts created a lot of attention among local residents who at times stopped them to make an instant contribution.
The age of runners ranged from 4 to 70 years old. The run concluded back at the church where Pound awarded trophies to the various age category winners and Fink lead the entire group in a prayer.
The goal of the event was to raise $10,000. Fink said the actual amount contributed was $13,800 and there were still contributions coming in.
"We are thankful that the Church of the Nazarene has a substantial infrastructure which remains intact for Haiti," said Fink. "This assures that our contributions will make a difference quickly in the lives of many."
To see photos of this event, click on "View Slideshow."
--Redland Church of the Nazarene via NCN News submissions (All funds in U.S. dollars)
The following stories appeared in the February 26 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Six-year-old Indiana boy sells toys on eBay for Haiti
Angola, Indiana
(Indiana's NewsCenter, February 23) A six-year-old Angola boy is auctioning his favorite toys because he wants to help the people of Haiti.
"I know that they need help. That's why I'm giving them these soldiers," said six-year-old Bailey Hicks.
Anyone who has ever met Bailey knows he loves anything to do with the military, especially his Army men.
So after spending countless hours watching the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti, with his mother on television, Bailey wanted to help.
For the rest of this story, click here.
Update: Hicks' goal was to raise $199. The winning bid for Bailey's auction was $259.99. All of the money will be donated to Haiti through the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Church plans memorial service for Haiti missionary
Indianapolis, Indiana
(Flyergroup.com, February 22) Jeanne Acheson-Munos' untimely death in Haiti's catastrophic earthquake dealt a severe emotional blow to her church family at Westside Church of the Nazarene. But they've taken solace in the knowledge that she died doing what she loved.
Jeanne, 62, and her husband Jack served as missionaries in Haiti with Free Methodists World Missions for about five years, working with the national church in developing its presence there. Westside Church of the Nazarene, where Jeanne's father, R.B., is pastor emeritus, helped support the couple financially.
"What I remember of Jeanne is she had a strong personality - a person whom I would describe as a servant leader," said David Caudle, senior pastor at Westside. "She understood her call to ministry and that it involved being a servant and a leader."
For the rest of this story, click here.
California church does quick aid for Haiti
El Dorado, California
(Mountain Democrat, January 31) El Dorado's Church of the Nazarene has a "no dithering" policy when it comes to disaster relief. Two weeks ago the congregation of about 125 collected and donated $5,000 for its Compassionate Ministries programs already on the ground in Haiti. In addition to the cash, members purchased and packaged items for individual "Crisis Care Kits" that are already on the way to Miami for immediate transit to the beleaguered island.
Robert Scott dropped in to the Mountain Democrat offices "without an appointment" but with a story of incredible generosity backed up by experienced, competent practitioners.
In his former role as director of Global Missions for the International Church of the Nazarene, Scott has visited and worked in Haiti numerous times over the past 20 years. He said the Nazarene presence is second only to the Roman Catholic Church in Haiti.
"We have about 500 churches, 16 medical clinics, 125 schools and a seminary there," Scott noted. "And there is a comprehensive structure in place that provides everything from relief supplies to job training, with a heavy emphasis on health and medical issues. The programs serve and pastor to about 160,000 church members. And we have no missionaries," he said with pride.
No foreign missionaries are needed because the church at large and its service programs are "totally native operated," he explained.
For the full story, click here.
Note: Pastor Steve Dickerson tells NCN News the staff writer for the Democrat was so impressed by this story that the paper published it on one half of a full page in the paper. Dickerson reports calls have come to the church office from local people inquiring how other locals might give in the offering. The church is now planning a Work &Witness trip to Haiti in the fall.
Tents, food, cash collected for Haiti
Richmond, Virginia
(Times-Dispatch, February 21) Devastation in Haiti continues to inspire local efforts more than a month after the Jan. 12 earthquake.
A Haitian Earthquake Community Forum last week at the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross drew in contributions ranging from $265 in artworks sold at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center to a drive to fill two 40-foot seaworthy containers to ship to Haiti...
Tractor trailers were on site to receive donations for the seaworthy container shipments yesterday at 12 Wal-Mart stores from Petersburg to Ashland. The drive was organized by Deb Green, a volunteer with Nazarene Compassionate Ministry.
For the rest of this story, click here.
NOTE: For Canadians, the government of Canada will match funds donated for Haiti. For details, see Nazarene.ca by clicking here.
The following stories appeared in the February 19 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Help Haiti churches rebuild through Alabaster offerings
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
(Engage Magazine, February 18) Nazarene churches were damaged and some collapsed during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Fortunately for the Tabarre Church of the Nazarene, its building sustained only about five percent damage and has used the structure for continued ministry to its community in the wake of the disaster.
The Tabarre church almost didn't have a building at all. The congregation, which had been raising money for their own building, decided in 2008 to take the money they'd raised and use it for others instead of themselves. They stopped focusing on having their own building and planned a mission trip to the island of Sint Maarten.
After they diverted their funds to missions, they received an unexpected $10,000 (USD) from global Alabaster offerings to finish constructing their church.
For the rest of this story, click here.
Canada's Compassionate Resource Warehouse shipping six containers to Haiti
Victoria, British Columbia
(Engage Magazine, February 17) The Compassionate Resource Warehouse, on Vancouver Island, is in the process of filling six shipping containers with clothes, food, medical supplies, hygiene products and other needed items for Haitians who have lost homes, loved ones and livelihoods in the January 12 earthquake that devastated their capital city.
An affiliate of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada (NCMC), the warehouse is mobilizing not only Nazarenes but Canadians in general in support of Haiti.
The first container was shipped February 5 and the next one goes out February 17. The cause has drawn people from all over British Columbia to work side by side with Nazarenes in gathering required items, sorting donations at the warehouse and packing up the containers to ship, said Dell Marie Wergeland, who directs the warehouse ministry.
For the rest of the story, click here.
NNU students find creative way to help Haitian children
Nampa, Idaho
(NNU) On Monday, February 15, students from Northwest Nazarene University used their President's Day holiday to assist in a Haiti recovery effort.
Students and community members gathered in the Johnson Sports Center Monday morning to make blankets for Haitian children. The project is being sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Project Linus of Idaho. Project Linus defines their mission as providing love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need of the gift of a new handmade blanket, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."
Students who become "blanketeers" for the day were rewarded for their altruism through Disney's "Give a day, get a Disney day" program that trades a ticket to a Disney park for a day of volunteer service. NNU's student body government has organized a trip to Disneyland in April for all students who participated.
--NNU
The following stories appeared in the February 12 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Missouri paramedic helps Haiti's wounded
Harrisonville, Missouri
(Democrat-Missourian, February 11) Harrisonville paramedic Derek Coulter didn't know what to expect when he arrived in Haiti two weeks after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that shook the nation Jan. 12, but was prepared to help however he could.
"I had never been to Haiti before, so I didn't know what to expect," he said. "I didn't know what its baseline was, what normal was for Haiti."
After flying into Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jan. 25, Coulter and other volunteers from Heart to Heart International, a medical missions team based in Olathe, Kan., traveled eight hours by car before reaching Port au Prince, Haiti.
For the rest of the story, click here.
(Note: Heart to Heart was founded by Nazarene Gary Morsch and is partnering with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Coulter was the first paramedic to travel to Haiti with Heart to Heart. He is a member of the Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene and is the grandson of former general superintendent [1964-1980], Dr. S. George Coulter.)
PONG for Hope - Haiti edition
Warrensburg, Missouri
(NCN News submissions, February 10) Christ taught us about compassion when He told the parable of the Good Samaritan: Care for all, no matter who they may be. We are to "go and do likewise" as the Samaritan - caring for all people. We are called to respond when a need arises.
After a devastating earthquake, Haiti faces hardship and destitution; the call has gone out for aid.
The Lifeblood Youth Group and First Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg, Missouri, have taken this call to heart. They have redirected one of their annual events to raise funds for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The event is called PONG for Hope: Haiti Edition.
For the rest of this story, click here.
NCM-Canada response to Haiti earthquake
Brantford, Ontario
(Nazarene News-Canada, February 5) To date, over $140,000 (Canadian) has been given by Canadian Nazarenes. Much of that has been designated for "Canadian Foodgrains Bank" (CFGB), with more funds arriving daily at the National (Church of the Nazarene) Office. Goods are also pouring into the Compassionate Resource Warehouse in Victoria, British Columbia. Thank you for your very generous response!
Some of the initial donations have already been committed to an immediate relief project through Canadian Churches in Action (CCA). CCA is a partnership of several Canadian churches and church agencies, including Nazarene Compassionate Ministries-Canada, involved in non-food disaster response in Haiti. CCA is in the process of submitting a proposal to the Canadian government to receive matching funds for this project.
Additionally, NCM-Canada, along with at least seven other CFGB members, is planning a joint CFGB response in Haiti. CFGB has sent two staff members to Haiti to assess the food situation and make the initial connections with partners on the ground including NCM Haiti.
Related: One of the members of the Brantford Church of the Nazarene in Ontario has been selected to join a team of Nazarene medical professionals in Haiti. Wendy Lemp, a registered nurse at McMaster University Hospital, will join a team under the direction of Dr. Morsch from Heart to Heart International. Due to security issues, Wendy will only be in Haiti for a week, but she is very excited and anxious to assist with this intensive medical endeavour. She leaves on February 25th and will return on March 6th. Please pray for Wendy as she meets with her medical team and begins her ministry in Haiti. The Brantford congregation is helping to raise funds for Wendy's airfare.
--Nazarene News-Canada
The following stories appeared in the February 5 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Idaho woman survived Haiti quake by counting smiles and divine intervention
Boise, Idaho
(Boise NewsChannel 7, January 29) Katie Zook, the Northwest Nazarene University graduate who survived the Haiti earthquake talks. We first told you about Zook the day after the earthquake. We've kept you up-to-date on her progress. Now we hear her story in her words.
Scott Evans talked with her this afternoon via Skype. From the comfort of her hospital bed, Katie Zook took us back to that fateful day in Port au Prince. This is her story of the earthquake that killed over 100,000 people.
"It happened so quickly. The first thing that I remember was there was a very loud rumble," said Katie Zook.
It was the end of a long day for Katie Zook. She was four months into a two year mission for the Free Methodist Church. She was working on the top floor of a four story concrete building, when the now infamous Haiti earthquake struck.
"It started moving and I knew it was an earthquake, but you know, I've had earthquakes in Washington and this was nothing like that, it was horrendous, just so much movement," said Zook.
For the rest of the story (including video), click here.
Heart to Heart to Stay in Haiti for Years to Come
Kansas City, Missouri
(NBC 41, January 30) More than two weeks have passed since an earthquake ravaged Haiti. Now, one million remain homeless and illness is spreading quickly.
Doctor Gary Morsch says the people manning Kansas City's Heart to Heart organization's several sites just can't do enough.
"Every day, our doctors see 500 patients, many of them with terrible injuries and illnesses," said Morsch. "Rubble (is still) everywhere. Still bodies (are) being found. The smell of death (is) everywhere."
For the rest of this story, including video, click here.
(Note: Interviewees Gary Morsch, founder of Heart-to-Heart, and Gerald Smith, owner of Premier Studios, are both Nazarenes.)
For Haitians in Tampa Bay area hospitals, a taste of home
Tampa, Florida
(St. Pete Times, February 5) One woman brought plantains. Another donated rice. Someone took up a collection and bought a 10-pound chicken. They met in the low block building behind First Haitian Church of the Nazarene and spread their groceries on the counter. They had enough food to feed 15. They didn't know who would eat their meals. They said it didn't matter. They had heard that 45 Haitians - people from their homeland - had been brought to area hospitals after the earthquake. They had heard they were hungry.
"Haitians do not really like American food," Mary Mesidor, 55, said Tuesday as she put her plantains in a pot to boil. Mesidor grew up in Haiti, moved to the United States 19 years ago. Like the other volunteers, she belongs to the church.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Susanville Nazarenes plan medical mission to Haiti
Susanville, California
(Lassen News, February 2) Disaster relief wasn't part of the plan when missions teams from Susanville Church of the Nazarene recruited people for trips to Haiti and the Philippines. But typhoons and the biggest earthquake in more than 100 years changed the plans.
"Every time we plan to go somewhere, they have a disaster," Pastor Joe Sturgeon recently quoted Steve Jones, a medical provider who went on a medical mission to the Philippines and attends the church, located north of Banner Lassen Medical Center on Highway 139.
The church is still recruiting to help fill a team for a medical mission to Haiti in March on the heels of the successful medical mission to the Philippines completed in November. Typhoons struck just before three teams of medical personnel and volunteers left for the islands in the Pacific. Plans for routine medical exams quickly evolved, allowing the teams to provide serious medical attention.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Husband, wife trade places working in Haiti
Burlington, North Carolina
(Times-News, January 29) Linda Stargel spent more than a week in Haiti helping the wounded but returned to her Burlington home Monday so her husband, Scott Stargel, could take her place.
While Linda is a registered nurse and was providing medical care with Heart to Heart International, Scott, who left Burlington Tuesday, will be working with the Church of the Nazarene to coordinate the distribution of food, water and medical supplies to the people in need in Haiti.
"There are a lot of donations coming in," Linda Stargel said. "Finding a fair and safe way to distribute it is really challenging. Hopefully, my husband is going to be able to help with that."
Before moving to Burlington five years ago, the Stargels spent nine years in Haiti working with the Church of the Nazarene. They both can speak French and Creole and is part of the reason that Linda Stargel hurried to Haiti following the earthquake on Jan. 12.
For the rest of the story, click here:
'Pray For Our Sweet Country, Haiti'
Boston, Massachusetts
(WBUR, January 18) In a place of worship no bigger than the room of a funeral parlor, the sweet chorus of 200 Haitian-Americans sing "I have a song in my heart" with enough grief to make the walls shake.
On River Street in Mattapan, in the heart of Boston's Haitian community, sits the Haitian Church of the Nazarene. The converted former health clinic also serves as headquarters for the faith-based Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center.
"God is good all the time," exclaims 25-year-old Ruth Pierre, who tries but can't keep from crying over loss that has touched everyone in her community.
"I just want to say thank you, God, for watching over all the ones who are alive and made it. And I pray that there are many more who are alive even though we don't how many have made it. All I can do is pray."
For the rest of this story, which includes audio, click here.
Curses or Praises?
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
(Orangeville Citizen, January 28) Much has been said and written since the devastating earthquake that shook the island of Haiti on January 12. The magnitude of destruction wrought on the densely populated capital city and surrounding areas will go down in history as being catastrophic. The rippling affect around the world has been profound as there are Haitian relatives living in far flung areas, many of whom are still waiting to hear if their loved ones survived. Haiti has been a destination for caring churches and organizations around the world who have had long-term aid activities there, some for generations. Aid workers, missionaries, volunteers and their families are counted among the injured, dead and missing. It is difficult to imagine the depths of suffering.
Whenever there is tragedy, there will always be those who curse, lay blame and try to give explanation. Even some who count themselves as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ will often lay the blame on God, claiming was an act of God's wrath as punishment on the people affected.
For the rest of this column, written by Pastor Bob and Maxine McLellan from the Shelburne Grace Church of the Nazarene, click here.
The following stories appeared in the January 29 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Church of the Nazarene Foundation report
Olathe, Kansas
(January 28) The Church of the Nazarene Foundation (CNF) reports that approximately $55,000 has been given through Donor-Advised Funds for Haiti relief efforts. Donors use non-cash gifts like stock and real estate to fund a Donor-Advised Fund (aka Family Foundation) and advise the distribution of those funds for ministry.
According to the IRS, all cash gifts that go directly for the relief of victims in Haiti from January 11, 2010, to March 1, 2010, are eligible to receive tax credit on the 2009 income tax return.
Two Nazarene chaplains serving in Haiti (updated)
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
(NCN News submissions, January 27) Two Church of the Nazarene U.S. Navy chaplains are now in Haiti. Chaplain Jeff Mason is aboard the USNS Comfort (the hospital ship) and Chaplain Richard Bonnette is with Marines of the 22nd MEU on board the USS Bataan. The photo accompanying this article, provided by the Bonnette family, is of Chaplain Bonnette distributing food and water near Port-au-Prince. Each person receives three MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and four bottles of water.
--Dwight C. Jennings, Chaplaincy Director for the Church of the Nazarene, and the Bonnette family
Children's Ministries International Haiti Lesson for Children
Global Ministries Center
(January 27) In light of the tragic earthquake that devastated the country and people of Haiti, Children's Ministries International is providing the following resource to enable children's leaders and teachers in Sunday School and other small group ministries to help children better understand this crisis event and respond. To view/download the lesson, click here.
From Hong Kong to Haiti with Love
Hong Kong, Asia-Pacific Region
(January 27) Immediately after hearing the news about the tragedy in Haiti, Hong Kong District Superintendent Edmond Kwong wrote the Asia-Pacific Regional Office seeking more information about event to share with his churches. Upon reviewing the news articles and video clips run by NCM, NCN News, and Engage Magazine, Nazarenes in Hong Kong responded generously. Just this week, Rev. Kwong sent in an offering of HK$31,650.10 (US4,080) for the relief of the Haiti earthquake victims.
Column: Local Haitian congregation still singing praises in aftermath of earthquake
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(The Grand Rapids Press, January 23) The photos of Haiti appear on the big screen like images from a nightmare.
The collapsed Presidential Palace. A mass of flattened buildings in Port-au-Prince. A woman weeping over her devastated country. Against the backdrop of these heart-breaking scenes comes a remarkable sound: singing. "You're the God of this city, you're the king of these people, you're the Lord of this nation, you are."
The congregation is on its feet, praising God and mourning families and friends killed by the mighty Haiti earthquake. "You're the light in the darkness, you're the hope of the hopeless, you're the peace to the restless, you are."
Pastor Mathieu Pierre conducts a prayer service for victims of the Haiti earthquake Friday at the West International Church of the Nazarene.To my left, a young woman cries quietly while her little boy explores the pew. Smartly dressed young men stand stoically. Across the aisle, a woman sings with closed eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. "There is no one like our God. Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city."
For the rest of this column, click here.
Church spirit shines in Haiti help
Mackay, Australia
(Daily Mercury, January 27) The Australian spirit was alive and well at Mackay's Church of the Nazarene yesterday, as volunteers rallied to assemble more than 100 crisis kits to send to Haiti.
The kits will be distributed to those affected by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12, which the Haitian Government estimates to have killed about 150,000 people.
Among those who gave up their Australia Day to assemble the kits was Betty Thomson.
"We all need to think of others at a time like this," Ms Thomson said.
"We can't really comprehend how bad it is over there, with buildings fallen over and a guy living on Coca Cola for 12 days, and people still stuck in the rubble.
"We're such a lucky country and it's up to us to help them."
For the rest of the story, click here.
Alabama church helps with Haiti relief efforts
Gardendale, Alabama
(North Jefferson News, January 27) A Gardendale church is joining in the international effort help the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
Gardendale Church of the Nazarene is collecting items, mostly medical supplies, to send to the stricken country...
On Tuesday, Gardendale Church of the Nazarene pastor John Parrish was driving to Kansas City to drop off tents for shipment to Haiti. The tents, which are also on the disaster response needs list, will provide temporary shelter for people who have been homeless since the earthquake.
For the full story, click here.
The following stories appeared in the January 22 edition of the NCN Global News Summary:
Illinois church energized by $5,000 and mandate to 'gain all you can' for Haiti
Bloomington, Illinois
(Engage magazine, January 22) Pastor Scott Sherwood stared in dismay at the sermon he had planned to preach January 17.
Bloomington, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene is in a sermon series on stewardship. Just days after a January 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, Sherwood was about to preach about making money.
The series is based on John Wesley's mandate for believers to "Gain all you can, save all you can and give all you can." Sherwood was going to speak on Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:15-29 in which a master gave his servants bags of money with the instruction to invest it and bring back more than he had given them.
... Sunday morning, the congregation was surprised when each of the 260 in attendance received a sealed envelope with instructions not to open it.
For the rest of the story, click here.
For an additional story on this project, see the following: Church puts on thinking cap to raise money for Haiti
Asia-Pacific Nazarenes respond quickly to recent Haiti earthquake crisis
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
(NCN News-Asia Pacific, January 21) Late last year, Nazarenes around the world responded with prayer and generous offerings to natural disasters that struck four different locations on the Asia-Pacific Region. Now, in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti, Asia-Pacific Nazarenes are likewise interceding and giving to help the hurting people of Haiti. General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter was on hand in East Timor to help with the effort.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Bandage rollers help Haiti: Ravenna church group responds to aid request
Ravenna, Ohio
(Record-Courier, January 21) The "Bandage Rollers" at the Ravenna First Church of the Nazarene have always found treasure in what some people consider trash.
Now, the thrifty group is working overtime to meet the needs of people affected by the earthquakes in Haiti.
The group of seniors, which had been meeting every other Tuesday in the church basement for the past 14 years, has stepped up its effort. This week, the group has met daily to make and package thousands of bandages, made from torn, stained and threadbare sheets.
"They can be old, worn out sheets, white, solid, printed or colored," said Mary Anna Blankenship, who leads the group. "The only thing we can't use is flannel sheets or ones that are more than 55 percent polyester. They don't make good bandages."
The group typically makes bandages to send with doctors headed to Papua New Guinea. Bandages also are sent to India and Africa when there is a need.
This time, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has made a request for bandages to be sent to Haiti. The group is mailing boxes of bandages to Florida, where a group bound for Haiti has agreed to take them on its ship.
For the rest of the story, click here.
St. Louis church's donations multiply - with more possibilities ahead
St. Louis, Missouri
(NCN News submissions, January 18) General Superintendent Emeritus James H. Diehl reports the St. Louis, Missouri, Harvester Church of the Nazarene held a special offering on Sunday, January 16, and approximately $20,000 was collected for relief efforts in Haiti. In addition, Teri Craig, who collects medical supplies at the church, has packaged 20 boxes of medical supplies valued at over $100,000. However, according to senior pastor Harold Wedel, the story doesn't end there. A lady at the St. John's hospital told Craig she would collect some things to send through the Harvester Church of the Nazarene. She later contacted Craig again and said, "If you will draw up an Email telling me what you will be doing with these materials, I will send it to every hospital in the St. John's network nation-wide asking them to send it through the Church of the Nazarene."
"It was a good day in the Lord!" said Wedel.
Local denominations do what they can to help out with relief in Haiti after earthquake
Butler, New Jersey
(NorthJersey, January 17) The massive 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12 at approximately 5 p.m. EST has displaced and affected hundreds of thousands of Haitians, marking the first natural tragedy for the decade, and one of the worst to occur since the Dec. 26, 2004 earthquake in Indonesia, and Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 28, 2005 in New Orleans.
But even though Haiti is approximately 1,500 miles from New Jersey, local religious organizations are doing what they can to help out with sending relief to the country. The houses of worship in Suburban Trends area are at the forefront in organizing and collecting donations.
Pastor Chuck Corradino with the Church of Nazarene in Butler said that the church held a special sermon on Thursday to discuss the impact, and will be taking collections on Sunday and reflecting on the incident.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Bedford County reaches out to help Haiti
Shelbyville, Tennessee
(Times-Gazette, January 17) Chesley Enloe of Shelbyville has been to Haiti three times, both on business and for mission work. He first went in 1980 with concrete contractor Reggie Smith to build an orphanage on Haiti's central plateau.
Enloe is active in the Church of the Nazarene, serving as director of compassionate ministries for the East Tennessee District Missions Council. His third trip to Haiti was a sort of working vacation, during which he stayed on a Nazarene mission campus in Petion-ville.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Burlington nurse returns to Haiti to help quake victims
Burlington, North Carolina
(Times-News, NCN News Submissions, January 16) Linda Stargel and her family were watching TV reports about the devastating earthquake that on Tuesday decimated Haiti when they heard that doctors and nurses were needed desperately.
It was Stargel's 12-year-old daughter who asked, "Mom, are you going?"
It was a logical question. Stargel is a registered nurse. She and her husband Scott are both very familiar with island nation's capital, Port-au-Prince. Before moving to Burlington five years ago so Linda could finish a master's degree at Duke Divinity School, the Stargels spent nine years in Haiti working with the Church of the Nazarene.
Linda Stargel, who can speak French and Creole, trained pastors in first aid and in community health because pastors are often the first to know about medical needs.
For the rest of the story, which was on the front page of the newspaper, click here.
Atwater feels aftershocks of Haiti quake
Atwater, California
(Merced Sun-Star, January 16) This week, Dustin and Olivia Metcalf, co-pastors of Atwater First Church of the Nazarene, and their teen teammates watched images of horror unfold from the 7.0 earthquake that laid waste to the poor island.
They saw footage and photos of places they'd stood in front of in November, now crushed and broken. "I started to cry," says Olivia. "We were devastated." Adds Dustin: "People don't understand that Port-au-Prince was a mess before the earthquake. The level of poverty and what they deal with on a day-to- day basis -- the city was a mess."
For the rest of the story about this church who recently returned from a mission trip to Haiti, click here.
PLNU Community Responds to Earthquake in Haiti
San Diego, California
(PLNU, January 15) As governments and nonprofit organizations from around the world offer assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Point Loma Nazarene University students, faculty, and staff are doing their part to help.
"Words are inadequate to express the devastation and pain that the people in Haiti are experiencing. We weep with those who weep in these days. Our thoughts and prayers are with all people in Haiti," said Dr. Mary Paul, PLNU's vice president for spiritual development.
Prayers are being offered in chapel and through e-mail. The university is encouraging people to give to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries' disaster relief efforts. Gifts can be given online at www.ncm.org/haitiearthquake.
In addition, students are writing cards to the local Haitian Nazarene Church members, offering prayer and encouragement as many await word from extended family and friends during this crisis.
Clean the World prepares soap shipment for Haiti
Orlando, Florida
(Engage magazine, January 14) Acquiring soap and sanitary water was already a daily struggle for many of the 9 million Haitians living on an average of less than $2 a day in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake in the capital city of Port-au-Prince dramatically worsened Haitians' prospects to avoid numerous preventable diseases as utilities are disrupted and people search in vain for adequate shelter.
However, an ingenious idea spawned by a Nazarene and his friend in Florida earlier this year may help Haitians offset some of the unsanitary conditions they're facing.
For the rest of this story, see Engage Magazine by clicking here.
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Haiti: How to help
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