Many are aware that the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has announced a multi-year initiative, “Rebuilding, Restoring, and Renewing Puerto Rico,” a region of the American Baptist Churches USA that has been devastatingly affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in the late summer of 2017. Their goal is to raise $1 million for this effort. [Read more about this effort HERE.]
While discussing our region’s response to ABHMS’ invitation to join this long-term commitment at the November 4, 2017 meeting, the Board of Managers of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin learned of the generous contribution of $25,000 from the First Baptist Church of Eau Claire to this effort. Subsequently, the Board decided to invite our regional family to match this gift, by raising an additional $25,000, starting this appeal by contributing $12,500 from regional funds and inviting our churches to raise the remaining $12,500.
Please consider receiving a special offering in your congregation for “One Great Hour of Sharing.” Your contribution to this collective effort to raise $12,500 among ABC Wisconsin churches will be greatly appreciated as our denomination comes alongside leaders and our sister churches in Puerto Rico as they rebuild, restore, and renew.
If your church would like to contribute to the remaining goal of $12,500, you may submit your donations via your monthly mission giving form, designated to “OGHS–PR Rebuild.” The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special offering responds to disaster relief needs, with 100% going to relief efforts; no dollars are retained for administrative costs.
If you would like your giving to be reflected in your 2017 giving, it must be received in our regional office by Tuesday, January 9, 2018, but we will process any gifts received for this effort at any time, as this is a long-term commitment.
We are maintaining a webpage with updated information about disaster relief in response to the various 2017 disasters HERE. As we learn of additional ways to assist, we will post them on this page.
ABC Wisconsin churches and individuals have contributed $24,000 in 2017 as of the end of September to One Great Hour of Sharing, a 37.6% increase over the same period in 2016, and $184,102 in Total American Baptist Mission Support for the same period, a 7.0% increase over last year. Thank you for your generosity.