Recent church burnings in several southern states has Mennonite Disaster
Service (MDS) exploring possible responses to the burnings.
“MDS is reaching out to the churches that experienced fires and waiting for
calls back,” Kevin King, MDS executive secretary said Wednesday from
Detroit, where MDS is working to clean basements from a flood last August.
“Our response would be typically in clean up and rebuilding based on the
need of the church.”
“We are also in touch with the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disasters) and other faith-based groups such as the Baptist,
Presbyterians and Seventh Day Adventists,” King said.
While MDS was already investigating the church burnings in late June, an
additional motivation to respond came from the recent Mennonite Church USA
convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
Delegates to the convention asked MDS to investigate the burnings as a way
for their churches to assist in responding.
For the moment MDS continues to investigate and work with partner disaster
response agencies and is prepared to accept donations on their behalf in
lieu of a more complete MDS response.
“The Southern Baptists, who are already working with some of the churches
will gladly accept donations from MDS for rebuilding,” King said.
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*Lee Lever, Pastor*
*Austin Mennonite Church*
AustinMennonite.org
