As you all are aware, Hurricane Sandy has left behind some devastating damage to the Atlantic Coast – with significant damage in the state of New Jersey.  We are so encouraged as Pastors to already be hearing from many of you who are asking how you can help.

Here are 4 ways we are currently seeing a way to help – if you are interested in any of these – details on each are outlined below.
1.  Give Finances
2.  Give Blood
3.  Give Time
4.  Give Prayers

1.  Give Finances:  If you are able – please make a donation to Terra’s Benevolence Fund HERE on the City. 100% of the donations made between now and 11/15/12 will be directed to the benevolence and relief efforts at Jacob’s Well in New Brunswick, NJ.  Terra Nova will cover all the adminstrative fees and tax reporting.

Jacob’s Well is led by Reid Monaghan – who also serves as the New Jersey Director for the Acts 29 Network.  The men at Terra will remember Reid as he spent 3-days teaching and encouraging us on the men’s retreat this year.

As the New Jersey Director for the Acts 29 Network, Reid is coordinating relief efforts to some of the harder hit A29 churches & communities.  You can go HERE  and read a full update from Reid.

2.  Give Blood:  The American Red Cross has cancelled 100 blood drives as a result of this storm.  You view the CNN report on this HERE.  Our friends at Temple Baptist Church are hosting a blood drive on November 10th from 6:30am to 1:30pm.  You can also go HERE to search for other blood drives that may be in your area in the next few weeks.

3.  Give Time:  Several of you have expressed interest in traveling to NJ to help in the recovery work and rebuilding.  We are in contact with Reid at Jacob’s Well and other church network friends in an effort to determine when and where volunteer help will be needed.  As we know from other storms, the need for help will extend far into the future.  If you are interested in being part of a team of volunteers to go and put in some potentially hard labor – please email me, Pastor Paul Gordon.  We will start a separate City Message stream as we collect more volunteers and get more information from our friends in NJ.

4.  Give Prayers:  Lastly, please pray.  Pray that the challenges facing our brothers and sisters would ultimately cause many to turn to God for help and that the Church will readily respond with the mercy of Christ and the message of Christ.

Thanks and if you have any further questions, please let me know.

Pastor Paul