wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2996

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American Baptist News Service_____________________
Office of Communication / American Baptist Churches USA
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Richard W. Schramm, Director (E-mail: RICH_SCHRAMM.PARTI@ECUNET.ORG)

________________________________________________________________________________
__________

September 23, 1996

AMERICAN BAPTISTS RESPOND TO CALL TO AID BURNED CHURCHES
WITH MORE THAN $600,000 IN CONTRIBUTIONS, VOLUNTEER WORK COMMITMENTS

     VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABNS)--Responding to the call to minister with the
Afric
an American and
interracial churches that have been damaged during the recent rash of arson
atta
cks, American Baptists thus far
have sent contributions of more than $600,000 and have activated numerous
volunt
eer work groups to aid in
rebuilding efforts. 

     In all more than 75 church buildings have been damaged or destroyed
during 
the past six years with
about 40 incidents occurring in southern U.S. states during the past 18
months. 

     Many American Baptist churches throughout the United States have taken,
or 
are planning to take, a
special One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Offering for Arsoned Churches.  As of
t
his morning, the total for
contributions to OGHS for the Arsoned Churches fund had surpassed $600,000,
with
 additional contributions
expected.

     "I had expected a generous response from American Baptists, but I am
gratif
ied by this overwhelming
commitment to justice, rebuilding and reconciliation in the name of Jesus
Christ
," said Dr. Daniel E. Weiss,
general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.  "We are showing that as a
f
amily we continue to place a
high priority both on confronting the sin of racism and pursuing all
appropriate
 means to foster understanding
and reconciliation."

     Weiss will be updating all American Baptist churches early next month on
th
e denomination's response
to the church burnings.
     
     In consultation with the American Baptist Churches of the South, American
B
aptist National Ministries
has been identifying congregations which are requesting reconstruction
assistanc
e.   

     Throughout the summer an American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC)
faci
lity planner, Dr.
Benjamin Greene, traveled from the deep South to the Pacific Northwest meeting
w
ith churches needing 
assistance.  When appropriate, Greene was accompanied and aided in his work by
f
ormer American Baptist
Churches' General Board member and architect Gary Sharp. 

     American Baptist Churches USA has made a commitment to assist the Olive
Gro
ve Missionary Baptist
Church, Littleton, N.C, with both OGHS funds and volunteer assistance.  The
chur
ch, an independent Baptist
congregation, was burned to the ground this past Jan. 4.  At least six
volunteer
 work groups from various parts
of the country have confirmed commitments to work at the church site. 
Numerous 
other groups are in the
process of planning work schedules there.  The Olive Grove church also has
reque
sted contributions of the
following items: piano and/or organ, church furniture, hymnals, Bibles. 

1

Arsoned Churches Response/2

     In addition, two $5,000 checks have been sent to Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Churc
h in Tigrett, Tenn. 
Volunteer work groups from Dorchester Temple Baptist Church, Dorchester,
Mass., 
and Kenmore Baptist
Church, Cincinnati, have helped at the church this summer.  Additional
opportuni
ties for rebuilding are being
identified, with OGHS monies to be earmarked for those projects.

     According to the Rev. Thelma C. Mitchell, who directs the Ministry Center
f
or Biblical Justice for
American Baptist National Ministries and is national coordinator of the
Arsoned 
Church Response, "Many of the
church burnings are the result of bigotry, intolerance and prejudice.  We can
no
 longer assume our churches are
safe space, so we are working to organize church and community relationships
to 
make our churches safe spaces
once again." 
     The acts of violence and terrorism against churches have led
denominational
 leaders to endorse the
development of a comprehensive campaign of "Protection and Prevention"
ministry.
  The goal of that ministry is
to educate, inform and provide a sense of security for congregations.  Staff
wil
l work with a number of experts
in the fields of law enforcement, fire alarm safety, insurance protection and
cr
iminal prevention to create a
feasible and effective protection strategy.  The ultimate goal is to secure
the 
sanctity of sanctuaries based on
American Baptist Churches' historic commitment to disaster response and
relief.

     More information will be forthcoming on ways churches may become a
partner 
in the "Protection and
Prevention" ministry.  Volunteers wishing to assist in the rebuilding of the
Oli
ve Grove Missionary Baptist
Church should contact Volunteers In Mission (Carole Dieciedue) at
1-800-ABC-3USA
, ext. 2449.

96ABN118
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