wfn.org | GE CAPITAL DONATES MODULAR UNIT TO BURNED GEORGIA CHURCH VIA NCCCUSA

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
CONTACT:  BETTY THOMPSON, NCC
212/ 870-2048  - FAX 212/ 870-2030
Internet c/o: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

DAVIA TEMEN, VICE PRESIDENT
GE CAPITAL SERVICES
203/ 357-3965
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GEORGIA BURNED CHURCH TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE
GE CAPITAL DONATES MODULAR OFFICE UNIT

MILLEN, Ga., July 23, 1996 -- The first placement of
a modular office unit donated by GE Capital to a
burned Black church will occur on Thursday, July 25,
at the site of Gays Hill Baptist Church outside
Millen, Ga., the National Council of Churches
announced today.

The units have been made available to the 42 Black
churches destroyed or damaged since January 1996.
GE Capital Modular Space, Malvern, Pa., a GE Capital
Services company and one of several corporate
donors, will deliver and set up the modular office
building.

In May the NCC established the Burned Churches Fund
to offer financial support for the restoration of
church buildings destroyed by hate crimes.  There
has been a wave of violence against churches in the
United States, particularly African-American
churches.

The Rev. Harry Baldwin, pastor of the rural Georgia
church, will use the building as a temporary office
while his church is being rebuilt. The NCC Burned
Churches Fund Grants Committee has approved up to
$110,000 for the church's rebuilding effort.  The
church, founded in 1925, has about 100 members.

"Keeping our congregation together has been a
challenge since our church was destroyed last
Easter," Mr. Baldwin says.  "The support we have
received from the National Council of Churches and
GE Capital will help us with our community outreach
until we can rebuild."

GE Capital Modular Space has offered to donate
modular units to churches recently destroyed by fire
for use as interim offices while they undertake
efforts to rebuild.  The modular units are
air conditioned and heated, with a private office, a
lounge area and a handicapped-equipped bathroom,
among other amenities.  The donations are being
coordinated by the National Council of Churches.

 "The offer of these modular office units is another
expression of the tremendous outpouring of concern
and goodwill from the private and public sectors,"
the Rev. Dr. Rodney Page, executive director of
Church World Service, the NCC's international relief
agency, said.

"Churches are much more than places to worship, they
are anchors for the communities they serve," said
Gary C. Wendt, chairman of GE Capital Services.  "We
have always taken very seriously the responsibility
of being good corporate neighbors.  Because so much
of GE Capital’s business is in communities around
the country, we can quickly mobilize our resources
to help the affected churches.  The National Council
of Churches is doing extremely important work, and
we are pleased to offer our help."

"Estimates indicate that more than $12 million will
be needed to restore burned and desecrated churches
and other houses of worship," said the Rev. Dr. Joan
Brown Campbell, general secretary of the NCC.  "The
churches affected by these tragedies often need a
base of operation".

"We are pleased that our buildings can be put to use
in an effort to rebuild Rev. Baldwin's and other
churches and to begin to heal the wounds created by
these incomprehensible acts", said Jim Loree,
president, GE Capital Modular Space.

GE Capital Modular Space rents, leases and sells
mobile and modular buildings.  It is one of the
world's largest suppliers of such buildings with
over 100 sales and service facilities throughout
North America and Europe.  GE Capital Services is a
diversified, global financial services company.

The National Council of Churches is an ecumenical
organization which includes 33 member churches.
Formed in 1950, the NCC has spoken and acted
consistently and forcefully for racial justice and
civil rights and against racism.  The Council
provides a variety of programs and projects,
including international disaster relief, refugee
assistance and development aid; educational and
worship resources for congregations; Bible
translation; and efforts to bring people of faith
together.

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