Foursquare Churches Safe Through Tornado, Offering Relief

Foursquare churches and ministers were not directly hit by the F-5 tornado that ripped through six states this week. Churches are immediately jumping in to help those in need.

Foursquare churches and ministers were not directly hit by the F-5 tornado that ripped through six states this week. Churches are immediately jumping in to help those in need by collecting and distributing supplies.

DISTRICTS: Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midsouth

After a deadly tornado ripped through six states this week, the Foursquare Southeast District reports that all 154 churches located in the impacted area were not directly hit. All Foursquare credentialed ministers have been accounted for and are safe.

The F-5 tornado ripped through Alabama, leaving more than 200 dead. Huey Hudson, Foursquare’s District Superintendent for the state of Alabama, has already set up relief efforts at his church. Restoration, (Huntsville Foursquare Church) located in Madison, Ala., fed 400 people yesterday thanks to a local restaurant’s generation donation of food.

There is already word of additional Foursquare churches looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of those that survived the storm. Living Way (Adairsville Foursquare Church) in Adairsville, Ga., pastored by Tina and Jon Spellman, and Refuge West (Marietta Refuge Foursquare Church) in Marietta, Ga., are partnering to feed and care for disaster relief workers today. In addition, Living Way is both a shelter and collection point for clothes and supplies needed by government and relief organizations.

Tom Isenhart from Foursquare’s Relief and Compassion reports that immediate needs include water, ice, baby supplies, food, candles, flashlights and generators. Longer term needs include food, clothing and temporary housing.

Those looking to offer relief to those in need can donate funds through give.foursquaremissions.org. Click on the special U.S. Disaster Relief button to designate funds to this disaster.

Local area Foursquare church are currently collecting supplies for those in need. Non-perishable items such as canned food, baby supplies, candles and clothing can be mailed to the following churches:

Living Way Foursquare Church

118 East George St.

Adairsville GA  30103

Refuge West Foursquare Church

2200 Powder Springs Rd. SW

Marietta, GA  30064

Vine and Branches Foursquare Church

321 Broadway St.

Dayton, TN  37321

Restoration Foursquare Church

5810 Wall Triana Highway

Madison, AL  35758

Please check foursquare.org for future updates from our churches, as well as ongoing needs from Foursquare churches in the affected areas.

FOOTNOTE

--

By: Marcia Graham, editor of Foursquare Leader magazine and Foursquare.org

Teams are not needed at the moment as there is no place for team housing. Restoration Church is overwhelmed with the families in need and cannot take time to host well intentioned help. They are in Crisis "First Response" mode.

Updates and Short-term Opportunities
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT UPDATES
No direct major damage to any Foursquare Churches or families reported

Georgia – 14 deaths reported; millions of dollars in damage

• Living Way Adairsville and Refuge West have partnered together to care for and feed relief workers in Bartow County

Alabama – Over 200 deaths reported, hundreds injured, thousands of homes lost

• Restoration Foursquare Church in Huntsville, AL has already fed hundreds of families and is becoming a primary staging area for disaster relief in the state of Alabama.  Last night a restaurant contacted Pastor Huey’s daughter offering food to help feed the community; they were able to feed over 400 people.  Praise God!

Tennessee – Over 40 deaths reported in Chattanooga, TN/Ringgold, GA area
 
 SHORT-TERM NEEDS

• Water
• Tarps
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• READY TO EAT FOOD
• Generators
• Wal-Mart gift cards
• Clothes (children/youth/adult)
• Toiletries
• Baby food
• Canned goods