wfn.org | ABCUSA: World Relief Committee Approves Funding

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Richmond, Va. 6/24/03)--In semiannual session
here yesterday the American Baptist Churches' World Relief Committee voted
to fund a number of relief and development programs and projects in the U.S
and overseas. 

The committee establishes policy for distribution of funds from the One
Great Hour of Sharing Offering.  Projects were presented by American Baptist
International Ministries, American Baptist National Ministries and Baptist
World Aid of the Baptist World Alliance.

In his report to the committee, World Relief Officer Charles Sydnor noted
that One Great Hour of Sharing receipts are down for the first five months
of 2003.  "A shortfall in OGHS receipts would have a major impact on our
ability to respond to disasters," he said. "One Great Hour of Sharing funds
are used not only to assist when disasters strike but also for development
projects that help people improve the quality of their lives. Development
projects in the United States and around the world, which the World Relief
Committee has already reviewed and approved to receive funds, are basing
their current operations on the assumption that the WRC will be able to
honor its commitment to them, totaling almost $1,100,000.... The Committee
has no source of income other than the One Great Hour of Sharing offering
from which it can draw to make grants. May this year's offering be, once
again, 'a time to build up,' as the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes 3:3b."

Within the U.S., programs receiving funding include: Restoration House, a
residential home in Fall River, Mass., for men recovering from addiction to
alcohol and drugs, endorsed by the ABC of Massachusetts ($90,000 over three
years); The Evangelical Crusade, a support and assistance project for
refugees in Mesa, Ariz., endorsed by ABC of the Pacific Southwest ($25,000
over two years); the Denver (Colo.) Inter City Parish Ex-Offender Renew
Project, which works with inmates and recently released persons, endorsed by
ABC of the Rocky Mountains ($7,500 over two years); Congregations Acting for
Justice, an ecumenical ministry in Evansville, Ind., addressing justice and
equality issues, endorsed by the ABC of Indiana and Kentucky ( $15,000 over
two years); Zion Baptist Church Before and After Hour of Sharing Youth
Program, a multi-purposed youth outreach program in Ardmore, Pa. endorsed by
the Philadelphia Baptist Association ($10,000 over two years); and Covered
Bridge Therapeutic Communities, a substance abuse treatment program and
prison aftercare support in Milton, Vt., endorsed by ABC of Vermont/New
Hampshire ($28,000 over two years).

Overseas programs funded include: two endeavors by the Liberia Baptist
Missionary and Educational Convention--AIDS/HIV prevention education
programs ($41,389 over three years) and the Internet Cafi Project, to expand
local and global communication opportunities ($10,300); Baptist World Aid
work in refugee assistance within Africa ($11,111); and the Flame Project, a
Hungarian Baptist Aid ministry supporting handicapped children and their
parents in Kosovo ($26,664 over two years).

Sydnor also shared an appreciation of the late Dr. Matthew R. Giuffrida,
longtime National Ministries staff member who served the World Relief
Committee for many years.  Giuffrida, who died this April, was "the one who
built up ABC's commitment to, and ministry of, refugee resettlement," Sydnor
noted, adding that the committee expresses a "hearty thanksgiving to God for
Matt's ministry among us."

Richard W. Schramm
Deputy General Secretary for Communication
American Baptist Churches USA
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
1-800-ABC-3USA/x2077