EPISTLE FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP
"God's Church, God's People, God's Agenda"
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Dear Saints and Friends:
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| Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. |
When we unite our strength, we can accomplish the impossible. On April 27th and 28th, more than 173 tornados snatched away almost 300 lives. Billions of dollars worth of property was destroyed. The tornadoes were most severe in Alabama, but also struck in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia. This has been the most numerous and severe series of storms in our nation since 1974.
Prior to this devastation, on March 11th, we witnessed the horrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Over 8,000 people were confirmed dead, and 13,000 were missing and unaccounted for. Nuclear reactors were impacted, releasing radiation into the atmosphere and the water.
Now a third disaster has struck, the mighty Mississippi River has overflowed its banks; flooding homes, churches, commercial buildings, and farmlands. The states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Illinois are being impacted by the rising flood waters.
Thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) are homeless. Many have lost all of their earthly possessions. Many churches have been and will be damaged or destroyed. It will take months, and in many cases years, for those affected to recover their original level and style of life. Some will never recover without assistance.
COGIC Charities, Inc., has in the past responded to disasters in the U. S. and abroad. More than a million dollars in assistance was distributed to churches and families in Louisiana after the Katrina disaster. In Haiti, and new headquarters has been constructed, our tent clinic has treated more that 50,000 individuals since the earthquake, and we are in the process of constructing a clinic, schools, and living quarters for our volunteer doctors, nurses, and other volunteer staff. Our investments in Haiti will significantly exceed one million dollars also.
We cannot go on as if these disasters have not occurred. Prov 28:27, says, “He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” And Proverbs 21:13, says, “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.”
The Church Of God In Christ must respond to the plight of those unfortunate ones who have been impacted by these tragedies. I am writing to ask you to give to a special emergency offering for the COGIC Charities, Inc., that we might together be able to respond to these disasters and other situations of need here in the U.S. and around the world. The lives of thousands depend upon our compassion. We hope that all funds from this effort will be in by June 15th.
If you would prefer to send a check or money order, it should be written to: COGIC Charities, Inc. and mailed to COGIC Charities, Inc., P. O. Box 38, Memphis, TN 38101. Or you may donate by clicking on the button below…
