Katrina: Baton Rouge News
Dear Friends: Several years ago, Dave and Nancy McMillan asked their Lay Pastors to read a book on small group ministry within the church. The book was written by Larry Stockstill. The catalyst for the book was a vision or a dream that Larry had. His church was under extreme hardship and could only function within small settings, rather than the large meetings. He began a process at that time to break his entire congregation into groups of 12. Bill and I have attended his conference on how to move from a program-oriented ministry into an entire church based on groups of 12.
This letter if from Larry. His church sits on I-10 outside Baton Rouge. When you read of their very fast and quick response to the displaced, your heart will be touched. His ministry and the model that they represent have blessed us. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into times of fasting and prayer for those who are lost in this huge disaster lost both physically and spiritually.
We love you. Bill and Delight
—–Original Message—–
From: info@bccn.com [mailto:info@bccn.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 5:53 AM
To: delightpete@yahoo.com
Subject: Bethany Hurricane Disaster Relief
Dear Brethren,
Just an e-mail to get you up to speed on what’s happening here at Bethany. Of course, you know by now that we are facing the worst natural disaster in American history at New Orleans, 80 miles southeast of Baton Rouge. Evacuees began arriving Sunday night before the storm, and many of them pulled in by the three crosses on I-10. We opened the Center of Hope as a refuge, and they began pouring in. We housed and fed them there until Tuesday, when we moved them to the north campus gymnasiums and rear auditorium. The number of evacuees has swelled to 650, and they are sleeping on air mattresses and even the hard floor. We are feeding them three meals a day (one hot meal), and they are doing fine. Most are from the ninth ward in New Orleans, and their homes are all up to 20 feet deep in water. I had the state representative from that ward on television with me this morning, and she has lost everything. CNN was here just a few minutes ago and will air a special tonight on NewsNight with Aaron Brown, which airs on CNN following Larry King Live.
We never appeal to our fellow churches that are doing the multiplication vision with us, but we are doing so now. We can use bedding, toiletries, clothing, and, of course, funds for these people. Most left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The logistics of housing them for at least a month (we are being told) is monstrous. One local pastor just came by and dropped off a check for $10,000! If the Lord moves on your heart to receive an offering in your congregation or to designate a missions amount, you can send it to us in care of Bethany Disaster Fund, 13915 Plank Road, Baker, LA 70714. Checks should be made payable to Bethany Disaster Fund. We are also set up to accept donations via credit card (call 225-771-1600 for details).
We now have over 3,000 delegates registered for our October 6-8 conference (900 pastors and 2,100 cell leaders and members). Before the conference, however, we expect to have the refugees situated in good locations. Pray much for us in these days. They are difficult days, but awesome days, because our entire area has unplugged from the world and focused on eternal values. We are being told that 100,000 people from New Orleans will be moving to Baton Rouge in the near future. God has positioned us to be a major help to them now and in the future.
We love you guys, and thank you for standing with us!
Larry Stockstill