June 28, 2005

DENVER – In semiannual session here yesterday the American Baptist Churches' World Relief Committee voted to fund a number of new and ongoing projects and programs and heard reports on One Great Hour of Sharing offering (OGHS) giving and tsunami relief efforts.

The committee establishes policy for distribution of funds from OGHS. Projects presented were undertaken by American Baptist International Ministries and American Baptist National Ministries.

Projects funded for mission in the U.S. are: a hot lunch program of Cameron Community Ministries, Rochester, N.Y. ($36,000 over three years); the Just and Effective Economic Development Project, Toledo, Ohio ($12,500); the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment, Charleston, S.C. ($15,000); the Sturgis Bike Rally, for which the First Baptist Church of the Northern Hills, Deadwood, S.D. provides supportive ministries and outreach ($10,000); St. Paul Community and Economic Development Corporation, St. Albans, W.V. ($15,000 over three years); and the Summer Safety Net Program of Third Avenue Baptist Church, Flint, Mich. ($8,000 over two years).

Overseas projects funded today include: the Chilean Mission Baptist Church of Traiguen Feeding Program ($17,000 over three years); the multi-ministry Beteli Center, Republic of Georgia ($24,000 over three years); Satribari Christian Hospital, Guwahati, India ($16,775); a textile-craft micro enterprise to aid community development in Sitala, Mexico ($19,000 over three years); Kalulushi Training Center, supported by the Baptist Convention of Zambia ($15,000).

In her report to the committee, World Relief Officer Lisa Rothenberger noted that American Baptists gave $2,418,015 to OGHS in 2004. "This represents an increase a 7% when compared to the 2003 offering, but the increase was fueled by December 2004 giving to tsunami relief," she said.

Tsunami relief giving has dramatically impacted year-to-date 2005 OGHS receipts, she noted. For the first five months of this year, OGHS giving was $2,564,745. Of that, $2,140,387 has been designated for tsunami relief, bringing total tsunami relief giving to $2,388,895 for December 2004 through May 2005-by far the single largest response by American Baptists to a disaster. Undesignated gifts (those available to support World Relief Committee approved projects) are up significantly. Year-to-date undesignated gifts total $342,800 vs. $178,781 for the same period the year prior.

Rothenberger also reported on a tour of tsunami-devastated areas in Indonesia that she and Ken George, National Ministries' coordinator for Direct Human Services, participated in with Church World Service in April.

"My first day in Banda Aceh we headed up the coast of the Indian Ocean, the area that sustained the first and some of the most dramatic loss of life and property. Mile after mile the view was the same. What used to be villages were now mere piles of rubble. Coconut trees that once stood majestic were snapped in two. Where does one begin to capture this story?...

"Untold horrors have befallen these people. You can see it in their eyes; sense it in the way they walk. Yet, there is also a magnificent hope-a hope that seems to defy reasoning a visitor can understand. Relief aid can almost never come quick enough when so much has been lost, but slowly and surely the situation on the ground improves. Wells are being dug, houses are being rebuilt, boats are being repaired or new ones are provided. The needs are still plentiful, but the laborers toil day in and day out doing their best to address the myriad issues.

"After returning to the U.S. and reflecting on this experience, I wrote to one of the women that we met. Ejodia Kakunsi is a program officer for CWS in Banda Aceh. I asked her how she copes, what scripture keeps her going? And she replied, ‘Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse. It's very powerful words that always strengthen me even since I was sick as a child. I read it yesterday and feel the powerful Spirit strengthening me again.'"

American Baptist News Service