31,357 Presbyterians

When the second anniversary of Katrina’s devastating blow to the Gulf Coast rolled around, the National Council of Churches began to calculate all that had happed in the two years since the all the destruction.  Among the things they found is just how incredibly powerful the response of the church has been – though there is still so much more to do.

No one has an exact count on the number of volunteers, though the mainline denominations have been keeping track of those who pass through their work camps:  33,000 Lutherans, 125,000 Methodists, 31,350 Presbyterians.  Add in all the Baptists and non-denominational folks, and the number is probably approaching 1 million.  The NCC also reports that while the federal government has spent $53 billion on Katrina aid, the churches and their volunteers have produced $600 billion worth of volunteer labor alone.  (Click here and here for more details.)

As of this Sunday you can make that at least 31,357 Presbyterians as the Park Church Team makes its way to Pearlington, Mississippi, to join in the effort. 

The point here is not to brag.  We could have/should have done more.  It is to realize that every one of those 31,350 Presbyterians, 33,000 Lutherans or 125,000 Methodists are folks just like those who make up out team – ordinary people taking time out of their busy lives to reach out to others in the name of Christ.  All $600 billion worth of labor has come one hour at a time as flooded basements are mucked out, destroyed roofs rebuilt, and person-to-person joy and encouragement shared among volunteers and victims alike. 

Our team of seven – Paul Gourley, Bev Russell, Nancy Simmons, Jeff Lemley, Cindy Lloyd, Mark and Mary Beth Evans – will be working on drywall and insulation and will meet the owner of the home and share the love of Christ in all the best and simple ways. 

The team leaves Park tomorrow morning at 6:00 and will arrive in Pearlington sometime Sunday afternoon.  Keep them in your prayers for safe travel, good fellowship, productive work and a winsome witness to God’s love.