The Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund (www.wesleyan.org/donate) is receiving donations to assist victims of the recent tornado outbreak that took lives and damaged numerous communities across the south central United States in early March.
Holton Wesleyan Church in Holton, Indiana, sustained major damage as storms passed through that community, taking the lives of two of the church's non-member neighbors. According to Pastor Wilbert Vandervort, the building's foundation and roof shifted in the winds and projectiles penetrated the walls, resulting in the structure being condemned. The entire building will need to be demolished and rebuilt.
Towns like McHenryville, Indiana, and West Liberty, Kentucky, were especially hard hit also, with multiple deaths and massive property damage. After initial search and rescue and emergency relief efforts, which rely on the work of trained professionals, long-term recovery assistance and possibly volunteer work teams will be needed to help residents rebuild homes and lives in the area. With no Wesleyan congregations in either of these or nearby communities to provide a base for recovery work team operations, general church assistance will be coordinated and delivered through partner ministries.
All gifts to the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund are used exclusively for maintaining the constant capacity of The Wesleyan Church to respond quickly to domestic and international disasters with Christian compassion. Donations may be made at www.wesleyan.org/donate (choose the "Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund" option).
Dr. Jerry G. Pence, General Superintendent