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ABCNJ Haitian Response Update: Helping Baptists in Haiti

Written by Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, ABCNJ Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor
Saturday, 06 February 2010 14:02
ABCNJ's 4 point plan for responding to the Haiti Crisis involves: a. Emergency aid to ABCNJ related Haitian families affected by the earthquake. Our request form is now online. b. Emergency aid to Haitian Baptist Churches, in cooperation with the Haitian Baptist Convention, a partner in ministry. c. Financial support to ABCNJ related work and medical teams that will help rebuild the country. d. Micro-finance loans to Haiti’s poor to help them rebuild their lives, in partnership with Calvert Foundation (the administrator of the micro-loan program). Below is a report from International Ministries that will enable us to see the magnitude of task B. $1 Million Requested by Haitian Baptists for Earthquake Recovery Contributions totaling $254,000 in relief funds have been received by International Ministries (IM) in the wake of the destruction caused by the January 12 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area. A draft proposal identifying $1 million for immediate and medium-term needs has been received from IM’s partner, the Convention of Baptists in Haiti (CBH). The proposal included a summary of the extensive damage. Of the more than 21 Baptist churches in the convention, 11 church buildings were damaged and at least four were completely destroyed. Two pastors died in the earthquake along with 29 other church members. More than 400 congregants were injured. Among convention congregations, 438 homes were destroyed and 673 were damaged. The CBH proposal outlined an immediate three-part action plan that calls for contributions to be allocated for distributing mattresses, tarps and other shelter necessities (50%), providing food for families (48%) and establishing a medical clinic and providing basic personal hygiene items (2%). Dr. Emmanuel Pierre, general secretary of the CBH, expressed appreciation for initial assistance: “Thank you very much for the funds from IM and special thanks for the clean water system you sent via Dr. Vic Gordon.” Dr. Gordon, a pastor from Ohio and former IM board member, visits Haiti regularly to teach at the Christian University of Northern Haiti. IM missionary Steve James, M.D. and Scott Hunter of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are working with the CBH to refine the action plan and continue to identify needs among the Haitian churches. A plan for the longer-term rebuilding phase will be developed in the coming months.

ABCNJ Haitian Response: Next Steps

Written by Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, ABCNJ Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 22:47

All over the region, local churches have responded to the earthquake in Haiti by taking special offerings. Our region office is receiving individual and congregational donations for both One Great Hour of Sharing and ABCNJ's special Haitian Ministries Crisis Fund every day. Thank you!

Now comes the hard work: responsibly meeting the needs of Haitians related to families of ABCNJ Haitian Baptists, and organizing work teams to meet the long term needs of the country, in cooperation with ABCUSA International Ministries, the Haitian Baptist Alliance, and the Haitian Baptist Convention. We are in this for the long-term.

Attached to this article are two important forms:

ABCNJ Haitian Ministries Response Fund: INDIVIDUAL AID APPLICATION
ABCNJ Pastors: Please share this with Haitian members of your congregation, validate it, and assist them in returning it to the region office. This application is only for ABCNJ Haitian congregation members who have families in Haiti that require assistance. Please note: ABCNJ cannot respond to any aid application submissions from non-ABCNJ individuals and churches.

ABCNJ Haitian Ministries: VOLUNTEER ENLISTMENT FORM
ABCNJ Members: Are you interested in joining a future Haiti mission work team? If so, download the enlistment form and send it back to the region office.

Attachments:
File	Description	File size
ABCNJ Haitian Ministries Response - Individual Aid Application		220 Kb
ABCNJ Haitian Ministries Response - Volunteer Form		336 Kb

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 22:51

A Letter from ABCNJ's Council President: Council Reorganizational Process Begins

Written by Rev. Teresa Ely, ABCNJ Council President

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 20:05

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In a world that is constantly changing, the church is challenged to be faithful to the Gospel and remain vital and effective. Toward that end the Moderators of the ABCNJ Associations and the Regional Council have been working on a new model of ministry for our Region that encourages and supports our commitment to congregational health and faithfulness. We believe that it positions us to grow our witness in a changing world.

The change we are presenting to you, for your information and feedback, populates our Council according to a networked mission model because ABCNJ is a network of ministries and churches seeking to follow God. The proposed model envisions Council being composed of one representative from each of the region’s existing ministries. Each church would be encouraged to send representatives to all the various ministries they are interested in supporting. The proposal also allows for the creation of new areas of ministry/mission or the dropping of any regional ministries that cease to function.

How does your church fit in? A key component of this model of ministry is the creation of the Association Covenant Groups (ACG). Association Covenant Groups will be composed of between 12 and 30 churches. The ACG will focus on the common mission and ministry of the participating churches. Each ACG is responsible for the following areas of associational life:

· Sending one representative to the ABCNJ Professional Ministries Committee

· Ordinations

· For accepting new churches into ABC life

· Mission and ministry where it makes sense for local churches to cooperate

· Worship and fellowship with member churches

· The training of local lay leaders

We encourage you to discuss this proposal as congregations and as associations. Each association will set up at least one Town Hall type forum to discuss this proposal during the first half of 2010. Members of the Regional Council and Regional Ministry Team are eager to participate in these events to hear from you, provide further information and to answer questions.

Your participation and input is a vital part of our renewal process. The intent behind this restructuring is to increase our ability to remain faithful participants in the mission and ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If the churches provide positive feedback and support, this proposal will be brought to a vote at the 2010 ABCNJ Annual Session on September 24-25, 2010.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Teresa Ely, President

ABCNJ Council

Attachments:
File	Description	File size
ABCNJ Council of Regional Ministries Proposal in Spanish		53 Kb
Proposal - ABCNJ Council of Regional Ministries		98 Kb

Last Updated on Friday, 29 January 2010 15:45

CHURCH OFFICERS AND LEADERS (COAL) TRAINING EVENTS 2010

Northern Event

Saturday, February 20, 2010
St. Paul Baptist Church, Montclair, New Jersey
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Southern Event
Saturday, February 27, 2010
First Baptist Church of Mount Holly, Eastampton, NJ
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Theme: The Missional Church

Keynote Plenary Speaker: Rev. Dr. Roy Medley
General Secretary of the ABC/USA

The ABCNJ COAL Training Events are to be held in February. The information you will need for your leadership and to register for an event is on the form below. If you have questions please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pre-registration is requested as there is limited space at each of the events. We want to serve all of our churches and thus have two locations which will offer the same four tracks. Each person must select one of the four tracks offered. There will be a light luncheon provided. Registration is $15.00 per person to cover the luncheon, resources, presenters handouts provided to all who attend.

We will be sharing here on the website a list of the Track presenters and topics we plan on providing within the next few days. Come back to see these as they are announced.

Each event track will offer three sessions for the training of church leaders. Visit our website for additional information as it is made available.

Registration will begin at:		9:00 am - 9:30 am
Worship and Information:		9:30 am - 9:50 am
Group I	Group II
Session I	Session I	10:00 am - 10:55 am
Session II	Session II	11:00 am - 11:55 am
Luncheon	Session III	12:00 am - 12:55 am
Session III	Luncheon	1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Plenary Session	Everyone	2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Each of the church facilities have limited space for meals so we will use the above approach to accommodate the meal services.

Registration Form for COAL TRAINING EVENT

Please Mail to arrive prior to Wednesday, February 18, 2010.
Click here: Quick Registration Form

Attachments:
File	Description	File size
COAL 2010 Registration Only.pdg	COAL Registration Form ONLY	154 Kb
COAL 2010 Registration Letter and Form.pdf	COAL 2010 Registration Letter and Form	473 Kb

Last Updated on Monday, 25 January 2010 14:45

A Prayer for Haiti

Written by ABCNJ Haitian Ministries
Saturday, 23 January 2010 19:14
ABCNJ Invites you to pray with us for our sisters and brothers in Haiti, We Share this prayer, originally posted on the Diocese of San Jose, California Website http://www.dsj.org/being-catholic/worship/una-oraci%C3%B3n-para-despu%C3%A9s-del-terremoto-en-hait%C3%AD (prayer in Spanish) http://www.dsj.org/news-events/previous-posts/a-prayer-after-the-earthquake-in-haiti-english (prayer in English) A Prayer After the Earthquake in Haiti By Diana Macalintal Lord, at times such as this, when we realize that the ground beneath our feet is not as solid as we had imagined, we plead for your mercy. As the things we have built crumble about us, we know too well how small we truly are on this ever-changing, ever-moving, fragile planet we call home. Yet you have promised never to forget us. Do not forget us now. Today, so many people are afraid. They wait in fear of the next tremor. They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble. They roam the streets in shock at what they see. And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief and the names of missing dead. Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster. Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still, and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist. Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day. Console the hearts of those who mourn, and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death. Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion, we who watch from afar, as the poorest on this side of the earth find only misery upon misery. Move us to act swiftly this day, to give generously every day, to work for justice always, and to pray unceasingly for those without hope. And once the shaking has ceased, the images of destruction have stopped filling the news, and our thoughts return to life's daily rumblings, let us not forget that we are all your children and they, our brothers and sisters. We are all the work of your hands. For though the mountains leave their place and the hills be tossed to the ground, your love shall never leave us, and your promise of peace will never be shaken. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen. Copyright © 2010, Diana Macalintal. Permission is given to reprint for non-commercial use.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 19:13

Two Ways to help Haitians

Written by Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, ABCNJ Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor
Saturday, 23 January 2010 15:42
These opportunities to asist Haitians have come to the region office: 1. Haitians Arriving at Fort Dix in New Jersey: The Red Cross is accepting volunteers to help with people form Haiti that are being brought to Ft. Dix/McGuire. One of the needs is for French speaking interpreters. Contact either Donna Haines ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Bill Rohrer ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at FBC Mt. Holly. 2. ABWM - White Cross: oller bandages are needed in Haiti as well as the Congo. So this is a plea for roller bandages. I am asking that everyone do 3” x 10 yds.for Haiti and follow the assignments given for 2009 – 2010 for Congo. BOTH AREAS are very important. Last years the roller bandage supply going to Congo was down so they too continue to be in great need. Contact Gail Gillespie for additional details ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

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$1 Million Requested by Haitian Baptists for Earthquake Recovery

CHURCH OFFICERS AND LEADERS (COAL) TRAINING EVENTS 2010

Northern Event

Southern Event

Theme: The Missional Church

Keynote Plenary Speaker: Rev. Dr. Roy Medley General Secretary of the ABC/USA

Registration Form for COAL TRAINING EVENT

Keynote Plenary Speaker: Rev. Dr. Roy Medley
General Secretary of the ABC/USA