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Columbia Union Sends Crisis Counselors to Assist Flood Victims

Robert Smith, pastor of the Allegheny East Conference’s First Church in Teaneck N.J., has assisted in recovery efforts for the last five major hurricanes over the last 30 years. And, he’s again helping victims, this time in West Virginia, where floodwaters killed at least 25 and left thousands homeless.

On Monday Smith (pictured above with members of the National Guard) and Lee Kimani (pictured below), pastor of the Angaza Sharon church in Newark, Del., arrived in Lefthand, W.Va., an area northwest of Charleston. Smith reports that they’ve knocked on doors, visited 20 churches of all faiths and have counseled 50 families, provided prayer and connected victims to FEMA and Red Cross resources.

$3 Million in Free Health Care Services To Be Made Available in Beckley, W.Va.

Story by Costin Jordache

More than 500 healthcare professionals and volunteers will operate a no-cost medical and dental clinic in Beckley, West Virginia on July 13-15, 2016. Approximately $3 million in free health-related services will be offered to noninsured and underinsured residents of Beckley and surrounding areas at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. The event is organized by Your Best Pathway to Health, a service of Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI), in partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and many other entities.

Tara VinCross to Leave REACH Columbia Union Urban Evangelism School

Tara VinCross, director of the REACH Columbia Union Urban Evangelism School, has accepted a call to be senior pastor of the Azure Hill church in Grand Terrace, Calif.
 
“Tara has made a valuable contribution in engaging young adults to experience the mission,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference president. “Being the founding director of REACH, she has provided excellent leadership in creating a place where young adults can experience experiential learning--a valuable method to engage young adults.”
 

Mountain View Conference ACS Releases Flooding Response Statement

Larry Murphy, Adventist Community Services director for the Mountain View Conference released this update on the West Virginia flooding:

I want to thank anyone who has contacted myself or the conference office making yourselves available to aid our fellow West Virginians in this terrible time of crisis. Many families have lost homes and loved ones, and we need to keep them in our prayers.

Adventist Community Services is actively involved in the coordination of relief efforts. The need that we fill here in WV is warehouse management. All donated goods have to be organized, so that emergency managers know what they have available to help the people they serve.

At this time, it is too early for donations to be sent, or volunteer help to arrive. Search and rescue efforts are still going on and local leadership is asking everyone to wait for now. Certain trained organizations are on location, and help is being given, but everything is being coordinated through the state EOC office.

We will post updates and needs here as the information becomes available. If you have ACS training, or just want to help, please wait for a call for volunteers to be posted here on this Facebook page.  Please keep not only the victims, but also the emergency workers in your prayers.

Thank you and God bless,
Larry Murphy, ACS Director
Mountain View Conference