wfn.org | American Baptists approve U.S. and world programs

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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
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director
  E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL BOARD/PROGRAM BOARDS
Des Moines, Ia. / June 18-21, 1999

WORLD RELIEF COMMITTEE APPROVES FUNDS FOR WORK
IN U.S., ROMANIA, PHILIPPINES AND INDIA

  DES MOINES, IA.--In semiannual meetings the American
Baptist Churches' World Relief Committee voted to support a
variety of programs and projects within the U.S. and in
Romania, the Philippines and India, among other locations.
  The committee establishes policy for distribution of
funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.  It dealt
extensively today with reviewing how OGHS has been promoted
this year and how OGHS funds were spent in various relief
and development endeavors in 1998.  It also considered
proposals presented by American Baptist International
Ministries and National Ministries, as well as some
recommended by Baptist World Aid.
  Among projects funded:
  Restoration House, Fall River, Mass., a proposed
residential home for men recovering from drug and alcohol
addiction, will receive a $25,000 start-up grant.  First
Baptist Church in Fall River has been leading an ecumenical
group in initiating this ministry.
  The Bob Burdette Center After School Program of
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Charleston, W.V., which offers a
wide range of services for children, will receive $45,000 in
funding over three years.
  The Hilltop House/Bridge Project, Seattle, Wash., a
service for low-income senior citizens endorsed by the
American Baptist Churches of the Northwest, will be funded
at $22,000 over three years.
  Transformation Station, a proposed ministry supported
by American Baptist-related Alderson-Broaddus College,
Philippi, W.V., will receive $15,000 in initial funding.  TS
will provide low-income persons with building materials to
enable them repair and renovate their residences.
  The construction of a multi-purpose building at the
Hargita Christian Camp in Romania, a joint project of
Hungarian Baptists in Romania and First-Calvary Baptist
Church, North Andover, Mass., will be funded at $20,000 by
the committee.  The camp currently serves more than 1,200
children annually.
  A two-year grant of $40,000 to the Convention of
Philippine Baptist Churches will provide training in
subsistence farming and animal care for those impacted by
drought.
  Construction of a Christian youth hostel by the Nihang
Karbi Baptist Association in India will receive two-year
funding totaling $24,768.