NDR Activates Again:
Nazarenes Respond for the Gulf States

"Among people who have lost much and suffered much and given to the limit of their power, we are seeing that same spirit: a core of strength that survives all hurt, a faith in God no storm can take away, and a powerful American determination to clear the ruins and build better than before." These words of the President of the United States demonstrated a side of the American spirit that could be paralleled with the Tsunami and 9-11.

These could very well have been the words of a general superintendent concerning the spirit of Nazarenes. Nazarenes responded to this disaster with overwhelming compassion and love. The 800 numbers at headquarters were tested beyond their capacity, parsonages and churches were transformed into command centers, private homes became depots of hospitality, and Nazarene members abandoned long scheduled vacations to travel hundreds of miles to the disaster scene.

Within hours of Katrina striking the coastline of Louisiana, NDR coordinators began responding to the immediate emergency needs of the people worst affected. During the first five days, trained corps of volunteers utilized every capacity and asset at their immediate disposal to assist bereaved and displaced families.

Simultaneously in the NCM office, Dan Soliday, coordinator, began restructuring the management of the organization so as to speed up the internal decision making process. It also enhanced their ability to communicate and liaise with district superintendents, pastors, constituent inquiries, and other local agencies who contacted NCM and NDR, offering to assist the affected communities.

In an effort to facilitate the avalanche of generosity, new systems of giving were organized using established headquarters' methods, as well as the internet capacity through credit cards. Through this medium alone, Nazarenes have contributed more than 1 million dollars.

From NDR points of contact, scores of stories of the unimaginable response of volunteers whose works of compassion were juxtaposed with the resilience of the thousands of evacuees. Faith, family, and friends have combined to display inspiring revelations of the human encounter with the needs of the displaced. The Mission Strategy USA/ Canada offices and Fletcher Tink, NTS professor of Urban Studies have teamed to capture these stories and anecdotes in an inspirational booklet, "Katrina: Faith, Family, and Friends." (Available through NPH).

The Board of General Superintendents, in a statement following the disaster said, "Our hearts are broken by the devastation of catastrophic proportions across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Images of cities flattened in rubble or drowning in polluted water, the stranded seeking rescue, the helpless without water, food, and medical attention, and the grieving who lost loved ones to the storm surge are imprinted on our minds forever."

We are grateful for the generous response of Nazarenes. However, the need is not over. The enormity of the disaster will require the continued contributions for months to come.

Online credit card donations for relief efforts are accepted through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at www.ncm.org. Checks should be marked "ACM1801 Gulf Coast Hurricane Response" and made payable and mailed to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

Thanks, Nazarenes, for your overwhelming sense of compassion and love.

- By Oliver R. Phillips