Faith-Based Help Far Exceeds FEMA when it comes to Rebuilding after Katrina
"We want to build houses and fix things, but it's not just about that. We care about people and their hearts and their emotional devastation. For us, Christ can begin to heal that and restore their lives."
(Gulf Coast, USA)—A report by Tim Townsend, in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reveals the vital contribution that faith-based and church groups have made in the work of rebuilding homes and lives, after the devastation of Katrina.
In the two years since the hurricane wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, the National Council of Churches estimates that "church-sponsored volunteers have produced $600 billion worth of labor" in the rebuilding effort. According to the report, as of March of 2007, the total amount of Federal funds spent on aid to Katrina victims was $53 billion. (Photo: Volunteers from Chesterfield Presbyterian Church–St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
In addition, faith-based aid includes the aspect of a more complete help to victims, as volunteers strive to show God's love both in a practical way, and by sharing the hope of Christ.
Melissa Loaney, wife of Chesterfield Presbyterian's Rev. Jeff Loaney, explained, "We want to build houses and fix things, but it's not just about that. We care about people and their hearts and their emotional devastation. For us, Christ can begin to heal that and restore their lives."
The group of 47 volunteers from Chesterfield recently spent 3 days rebuilding homes and helping to rebuild lives this month, in hard-hit Mississippi. The volunteers received advice from Lynn Sabin, with Lagniappe Presbyterian Church in Bay, St. Louis before setting out to work.
"We're building houses in the name of Jesus, but we don't beat people over the head with the Gospel," said Sabin. "Don't over-evangelize them, just love 'em."
