Pastors and Church of God members are being hit with devastating flooding for the second time this year. Over 1,000 people have had to be rescued from their homes, including one of our Church of God pastors who had to be taken by boat after more than three feet of water rose in the parsonage. As of late Saturday, at least two people had lost their lives.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency because of the severe flooding across central and southern Louisiana and more rain came in on Sunday. The National Weather Service predicted at least six inches of additional rain will fall on the hardest hit areas before there is any relief.
The leadership of the Church of God is still gathering information on what damage has been sustained by Church of God churches and families. However, while water is still rising and damage assessment is not complete, we know that the following Louisiana churches have some flood damage:
• Life Church Central, Baton Rouge
• New Beginnings Church (parsonage), Baker
• Covington – Savannah Branch, Folsom
• Robert Church, Robert
• Bethel Worship Center, Amite
• Savannah Branch Church of God, Folsom
When it is safe for assessment teams to get into these areas, we will have additional updates.
The Church of God, working through Operation Compassion, is mobilizing disaster relief efforts and has begun sending assistance immediately when released by the authorities to enter the areas. However, Dr. Tim Hill, general overseer of the Church of God, is calling on the global church to pray for those impacted by this flooding.
“To be hit a second time by such devastation in such a short period is unimaginable. However, our friends and fellow believers in Louisiana need our prayers—and our help. We will be sending in our disaster response teams to help those impacted. But we need your help. Louisiana needs your help. Join with me today and not only pray for those impacted, but help fund the clean-up effort that is going to take weeks and maybe even months. Your help is vitally needed,” concluded Hill.
As of Monday morning, August 15, internet and other sources of ready communication were sparse or completely unavailable in many of the affected areas. Faith News will continue to bring updates as more information is received, {eoa}
This article originally appeared on Faith News Network.
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