Pastors, Well—just when we anticipated the concluding aspects of the relief efforts, such as tree clearing, food and water distribution, and tapering down on sheltering displaced citizens, were complete—Hurricane Rita decided to visit the Gulf South region! Now we are prepared with teams, trucks, and volunteers to move immediately into the affected areas, including Houston, TX.

In the event that PRC Compassion’s news has not reached you, here’s the scoop:

PRC’s relationships with pastors and churches throughout Louisiana shifted into gear immediately after Katrina’s devastating visit. Under the capable leadership of Mandeville Pastor Steve Robinson (Church of the King), Baton Rouge Pastors Dino Rizzo (Healing Place Church) and Larry Stockstill (Bethany World Prayer Center), Broussard Pastor Jacob Aranza (Our Savior’s Church), and Metairie Pastor Dennis Watson (Celebration Church), the Pastors Resource Council has partnered with PRC Compassion, an effort to connect Communities of Compassion to address areas of need.

These pastors and their influential networks from around the nation have mobilized incredible resources to address many of the Gulf States’ citizens’ problems. To date, PRC Compassion has directed:

• 82 church-run shelters or PRC Compassion-serviced shelters
• 400 semi trucks to our 18 relief distribution points thru out coastal LA
• 600 out of state volunteers have been housed, fed, and deployed
• 1500 doctor/client encounters have been facilitated by PRC Compassion resident physician, Dr. Cheri LeBlanc
• 2500 in-state volunteers have loaned their energies to assist our neighbors in need
• 10,512 displaced citizens have been housed, fed and received ministry

Because of the continued threat from hurricanes this year, we will be at this rescue and relief effort for some time to come.

I’m writing to you because perhaps you are not connected to PRC Compassion’s very capable network. PRC Compassion recognizes that this task will require the churches to cooperate, communicate, and to connect Communities of Compassion with areas of need.

PRC Compassion is here to help you! If you are currently under pressure due to Hurricane Rita’s displacement of so many people, we can help.

Please call and connect to us. If you are not currently in an affected area, please consider sending your support—via volunteers, offering warehouse space, or simply by joining the Chaplain’s Corp. Of course, your prayers are coveted!

This is our leadership moment….

Let’s seize it!