Some of the widespread destruction in Alabama.

Greetings in the name of our merciful Lord. We call on Him in this moment of need as we consider the thousands whose lives have been permanently altered by the devastation caused by storms across the southern United States. The extreme weather began almost two weeks ago, with powerful winds, floodwaters, and tornadoes upending the lives of families and individuals from Texas to the Carolinas. Entire neighborhoods have been devastated. Nearly a million people have gone without electricity. Hundreds of people have lost their lives. Reports indicate this is possibly the deadliest occurrence of tornadoes in four decades.
 
Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) jumped to action, presenting the active love of Christ through ongoing relief efforts beginning April 17. Nazarene Rapid Response teams continue to coordinate with local Nazarenes and municipal authorities to direct recovery and cleanup activities. 

Immediate Needs

•    Our first and best response is prayer. Personnel on the ground have asked us to join them in a day of prayer this Sunday, May 1. Pray especially for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Pray for those beginning the process of putting their communities back together. Pray for those working long hours to clear debris, repair homes, and offer comfort.

•  Package and send Crisis Care Kits. For directions visit www.ncm.org/cck.

•  Give generously and sacrificially. Visit www.ncm.org to donate online, or send checks noting ACM1041 USA/Canada Tornadoes in the memo area.

•  In the USA, make checks payable to General Treasurer and mail to Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116.
•  In Canada, make checks payable to Church of the Nazarene Canada and mail to Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

Some of the widespread destruction in Alabama.

Dr. Jerry Porter, general superintendent, and Rev. Althea Taylor, regional coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in the United States and Canada, will meet with district leadership from Alabama South and North Districts (Dr. Mark D. Berry and Rev. N. Greg Rickey, respectively). They will be joined by members of NDR at the Crossroads Community Church of the Nazarene. Continue to pray for them as they coordinate efforts to offer compassion by meeting physical and spiritual needs.
 
During times such as these, we come together as a church family to pray and offer our help in what will be a long road to recovery. We also remember that our faith is in the One in whom we find strength and compassion. 

--Board of General Superintendents

Find out how you can help.

Alabama South, Tuscaloosa:  Tuscaloosa First Church of the Nazarene

Alabama North, Birmingham: Crossroads Community Church

North Carolina: North Carolina District Office

Reminders about Crisis Care Kits:

Crisis Care Kits can be requested through Bethany Wright at bwright@ncmi.org.

When people directly donate Crisis Care Kits, it is requested that they:

- Record the number of CCKs that are delivered.

- Record the location that they are delivered to.

- Send the information to bwright@ncmi.org.