Haiti Relief
Ways You Can Help
June 10, 2010 - The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration Donates $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity to Help Rebuild Haiti
This is the Largest Gift Given to Habitat from a Faith Community for Recovery Efforts in Haiti
The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration (AABMC) presented a check for $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta, GA., as a part of their commitment to help Haitians rebuild their lives and communities. This contribution is the largest single donation given to Habitat by a faith community for its Haiti earthquake-recovery efforts.
Presidents from Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; National Baptist Convention, USA; National Baptist Convention of America; National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; and the Progressive National Baptist Convention were on hand for the presentation. The Baptist communities came together in January of this year and formed the African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration to create an opportunity to more effectively respond to the devastation in Haiti after the earthquake. The partnership with Habitat is one of the first to fulfill that mission...
"We are inspired to invest in this ministry for housing solutions, because we are following the teachings of Jesus who said that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give shelter to those without shelter that we do this for him. We do this for Jesus, and we do this for those who suffer in Haiti," said Dr. Stephen John Thurston, president, National Baptist Convention of America.
"Habitat is currently providing housing solutions for families in Haiti recovering from January's earthquake," said Mike Carscaddon, executive vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. "Our overall goal is to serve approximately 50,000 families in Haiti, including approximately 3,000 in the town of Cabaret. This significant gift from the AABMC will be used for our work in Cabaret to help 630 families have shelter."
The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration represents more than 10 million Christians in the United States, most of whom are of African-American heritage. For more information on AABMC, contact Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley regarding the group effort at (202) 543-3200 or degoatley@aol.com.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.
March 2, 2010 - The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration Offers Plan for Haiti Rebuilding and Revitalization
The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration (AABMC) today unveiled plans for a massive $50 million project to help rebuild Haiti and provide aid to Haitian earthquake survivors. At a press conference held at New Covenant Baptist Church in Chicago, organization leaders said the money will be raised largely through church donations.
The Collaboration includes five of America's largest, historic African-American Baptist organizations, representing more than 40,000 church congregations and 10 million Christians nationwide. They are: Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; National Baptist Convention of America, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. This is the first time the organizations have come together for a united effort.
The Collaboration will provide assistance that includes plans for:
- Five health care clinics to provide restorative health services and wellness
- 50 schools with enhanced learning environments
- 500 reconstructed churches to serve as center points for community empowerment
- 5,000 homes to house victims left homeless following the earthquake
"The images coming from Haiti are devastating," said Dr. T. DeWitt Smith, Jr., president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. "Our vision for Haiti, however, is not limited to the images we've seen. We will work with Haitian partners to rebuild strong homes, churches, schools and clinics."
The AABMC has also begun providing:
- Weekly deployment of medical professionals to provide critical medical services and care
- A daily feeding program in Port-au-Prince that feeds hundreds of people per day A daily feeding program providing
- 150 meals every day for earthquake patients at Saint-Marc hospitals
Other significant components include providing water, energy supplies, cash grants and groceries to families and individuals in need. In February, 1,000 families who lost homes in Legoane (near the earthquake's epicenter) and communities to the west of Port-au-Prince received a total of $30,000 in cash and grocery grants.
"Providing immediate response to immediate needs has been critical," said Dr. Stephen John Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention of America and senior pastor of the New Covenant Baptist Church. "Having existing working relationships with established churches in the country enabled us to move swiftly to provide food, water, temporary shelter and pastoral care. This is reminiscent of the immediate support that churches gave to people in our own country in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in 2005."
AABMC also is developing a volunteer management program to assist the more than 10 million AABMC church members across America who may want to help by donating their personal time. The program will operate via online application, providing volunteer service opportunities that match interests to needs. The volunteer program will include scheduling service assignments in Haiti for the next several months.
"We realize that members of our churches across America are deeply affected by the damage that this earthquake has wreaked on families and individuals in Haiti," said Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, whose convention launched an online volunteer recruitment platform days after the January 12 earthquake. "This is a way that our members can give of their personal time and resources to help our brothers and sisters recover in Haiti," he said.
It is estimated that more than one million children in Haiti are now orphans because of the earthquake. AABMC is rising to this challenge by establishing an orphanage partnership program. Under this program, AABMC will connect its member churches and social organizations with orphanages in Haiti to ensure that Haitian orphans are properly cared for and nurtured."African-American Baptists know what it means to support one another through devastation," said Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, executive secretary-treasurer of Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention and the coordinator for the African American Baptist Mission Collaboration. "We know what it means to care for children through extended families. We are committed to work on behalf of those who are most vulnerable in the aftermath of this tragedy and to labor to help children know safety, security, and nurturing care."
The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration was formed in February 2010 and consists of five historic African-American Baptist communities - Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; National Baptist Convention, USA; National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; National Baptist Convention of America, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. These five Baptist communities represent more than 40,000 Baptist churches across America, and more than 10 million Christians nationwide. The purpose of the African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration is to help rebuild and revitalize Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake that occurred in January, 2010.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 27, 2010 - Haiti Disaster Response Update
Convention president Dr. Julius Scruggs has set the course for developing our NBC Haiti Response. The Office of Disaster Management has been given the responsibility to oversee the disaster crisis and the Foreign Mission Board will oversee the building of diplomatic relations. With hopes of being received by the government of Haiti, a team will be traveling into Haiti to conduct an assessment of the conditions. As well, the team will work to establish partnerships with those who are already on the ground.
Calling All Members With Missions in Haiti!!!
We are asking for participation from all churches, associations and state conventions that are presently involved in ministry efforts in Haiti to complete the "Haiti Missions Involvement" form, advising us of your present works in Haiti. We will use this information to assist us in guiding our assessment and relief activities.
Get Haiti Missions Involvement Form
Calling All Volunteers!!!
If you are interested in volunteering your time, talents and experience to do missions work in Haiti, we want to hear from you. Those individuals who wish to volunteer should contact the Office of Disaster Management and request a Volunteers Informational Packet, or download and print a copy. Each volunteer will be required to complete and return this packet prior to being offered an assignment to participate in Haiti relief efforts under the direction of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Print Volunteer Information Packet
Office of Disaster Management
Rev. Randy G. Vaughn, Director
c/o 501 W. Thomas Boulevard
Port Arthur, Texas 77640
409-982-6464 / 409-982-2203 Fax
Email: disasterrelief@nationalbaptist.comAdoption Agencies for Haitian Children
Click on this link to get a directory of adoption agencies for Haitian children: Get Haitian Adoption Agency Listings
January 13, 2010 - Haiti Needs Our Help!
Video taken in Port-Au-Prince Moments After the Earthquake on January 12, 2010
Note: The Reformed Church in America's General Synod President, James Seawood, and an RCA delegation were in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake struck. This is footage taken by Rev. Seawood in the moments just after the quake. This video was secured via Dr. Joe Bush, Executive Director, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Foreign Mission Board.
Click on the arrow to play the video.
The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is coordinating relief efforts through our Disaster Management Office and Foreign Mission Board to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Haiti was devastated by an earthquake on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 that was recorded at 7.0 on the Richter Scale. National Baptist Convention President Julius Scruggs is asking all members to pray for the Haitian people, get involved with relief efforts and contribute generously to the Convention's efforts to bring aide to those impacted by this terrible disaster.
The Convention has established a special disaster relief fund for Haiti. All gifts are tax-deductible. Please consider giving online using our secure system - your gifts will be put to use faster, and time is of the essence. Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check to the address indicated below. Please contribute what you can and remember that all gifts will make a difference to somebody.
To Mail a Check: Mail your checks, payable to"National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc." with "Haiti Disaster Relief"
clearly indicated on the subject line to:National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Baptist World Center - ATTENTION: HAITI DISASTER RELIEF
1700 Baptist World Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37207
