Operation Compassion Begins Disaster Response to Southern Louisiana
Since last weekend flooding increased in southern Louisiana to near record levels as thousands were displaced from their homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. As rain continued to fall at record rates more than 7,000 emergency rescues of stranded homeowners and drivers were performed by first responders.
Church of God General Overseer Tim Hill, in a message delivered livestream from the International Offices on Wednesday, reported that eight Church of God churches have been affected, with more than 200 people of those churches displaced. He conducted a special prayer with the International Offices family before his message. Hill is headed to the affected areas today to assess the damage from the worst weather disaster since Hurricane Sandy.
General Overseer Tim Hill, second from right, speaks with Pastor David Doiron of the Savannah Branch church about flood damage to the church. Looking on is Secretary General John Childers (right) and Louisiana State Overseer Melvin Shuler.
As the scope of the damage and displaced began to be assessed, Operation Compassion, an independent benevolent organization with roots in the Church of God, began to mobilize its disaster relief response to the area. Sixteen semi-trailers loaded and staged with various disaster relief supplies at our Cleveland, Tennessee warehouse will be delivered starting on Tuesday with seven being delivered this week. Operation Compassion was ready to start immediate deliveries, but was asked to wait due to the flooding of major roads and highways. Operation Compassion will resource several churches hosting relief sites.
In addition, OC’s strategic disaster relief partner, Feed the Children, will begin moving two semi-trailers of disaster supplies from their Oklahoma City warehouse. Feed the Children has been a valued partner for more than 15 years and has collaborated on many projects.
Several Church of God churches received damage or were destroyed in the flooding. Robert, Savannah Branch, Life Church and Bethel Worship Center and others all sustained heavy damage to their property. In one location, 60 Hispanic church families were displaced by the flood seeking shelter in a church and were flooded out of that location. These families lost everything to the flood.
“There are many people across the southern region of Louisiana that are hurting and in need of help; displaced by no fault of their own,” said Dave Lorency, president of Operation Compassion. “This could be just the beginning of a massive response to these survivors. Operation Compassion needs your financial help. A donation today could save a life tomorrow!”
Operation Compassion is accepting online donations at www.operationcompassion.org (givedirect button). Donations can be called in at 423.728.3932 or via direct mail: Operation Compassion, 114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370, Cleveland, TN 37312.
The Church of God website has also opened several venues for giving to assist in the crisis. To give online, via PayPal or by mail, visit www.churchofgod.org and click on the disaster relief graphic.
