Hurricane Katrina victims forced to find a way out of New Orleans

Updated September 27

We have received nearly 150 people interested in volunteering for the relief effort.

If you have already signed up we will email you with upcoming training dates. If you would still like to be a part of these and any future relief efforts, please contact the Rock Offices.

I know all of us are watching the pain and suffering on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and wondering how we can help. The Rock Church is working diligently to minister to the victims of this catastrophe, and would love your assistance.

Our congregation gave $25,000 for the Katrina relief effort last weekend. This brings the Rock's total giving for the relief effort to $75,000, which was given to the Red Cross who is on the ground in the disaster areas and coordinating the relocation of the refugees.

The Rock Church will begin the second portion of our proactive plan for the relief effort over the coming weeks. The following information is meant briefly outline these strategies. We will continue to update you as more details and specific opportunities for involvement become available.

Prayer

It's impossible to overestimate the power of prayer. It's literally the most important thing we can do. Jesus says in Mark 11:24, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

You can commit to prayer as an individual, small group, or by joining the Prayer Ministry. Don't forget to pray for the specific needs of the victims and relief effort workers.

Red Cross Training

The Rock Church will be hosting a Red Cross Training. This will allow us to participate in the relief effort in the Gulf Coast, as well as assist the Red Cross here at home for those that are not able to commit to traveling. The training will also prepare us for a fast and coordinated response in the future should another need ever arise.

Once the dates and times are finalized we will inform the congregation and open it up to church wide participation.

Database

A volunteer helping a young girl and her baby sister on to a bus leaving the city

We will begin developing a database of qualified individuals and interested volunteers and businesses to whom we could communicate specific ministry opportunities.

This database will assist us in the current effort as we move towards a reconstruction phase in the affected areas. It will also enable us to impact our local community and assist those in need here at home. This same database will also position us to effectively respond to other disasters should they occur in the future.

Adopt-A-Family Partnerships

We expect San Diego will be receiving hundreds of long-term refugees who will need support physically, emotionally and spiritually. As a church we will partner with other local organizations and churches to meet the needs of these relocated refugees. It is our goal to love and ministry to them, making their stay with us as encouraging and comforting as possible.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me." Matthew 25:35-36,40

Be Aware and Be Blessed

Lastly, as during any crisis, we highly encourage you to be aware that there are individuals who wish to prey on others' well-intended generosity. There are many organizations who are honest, good stewards of your donations and committed to making sure they help those who need it most.

However, with over 300 new websites just this week claiming relief efforts, it is sometimes difficult to tell the good from the bad. We recommend using www.charitynavigator.org as they provide extensive information regarding all of hundreds of charities and also help to identify the scams.

Please continue to pray for the dynamics of the hurricane relief effort, and ask the Spirit to direct you in what ways you can become involved and help out. God bless you.