The EPC’s Hurricane Matthew emergency relief fund has been expanded to help provide aid to communities in North and South Carolina affected by flooding as a result of the storm. The fund initially was launched on October 11 to provide relief in the Bahamas, which the storm hit as a category 3 and 4 hurricane on October 5-6.
As Matthew continued on its track from the Caribbean and up the southeastern coast of the U.S., many areas experienced severe flooding and are facing long-term cleanup and rebuild efforts.
Keith Cobb, pastor of Hollywood Church, EPC in Greenville, N.C., said that waters have mostly receded, but the hard work to restore communities in the region is just beginning.
“We have families in our church who have been affected by significant flooding,” he reported. “Some our church members had just a foot or so of water in their homes, but within a 10-mile radius of the church we have people who had 8-10 feet of water covering their roofs.”
Cobb said the long-term recovery needs presents a unique opportunity to share the gospel.
“There is a missional ministry aspect, and an opportunity to do things relationally that you don’t have a chance to do in the fast-paced immediate response. We can’t help the vast number of people who need it, but we can certainly come alongside some and that’s what we are doing.”
Click here to donate online (Choose “Emergency Relief” from the first pulldown menu and “Hurricane Matthew Relief (505)” from the second pulldown menu,) or make check payable to Evangelical Presbyterian Church and designated “Hurricane Matthew Relief,” and send to:
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Suite 510
Orlando, FL 32822
Gifts will be directed to EPC churches where relief is most needed, unless the donor uses the Comments section to specify the area (Bahamas or Carolinas) to which they prefer those funds be directed.
Churches or individuals who would like to assist in recovery efforts in the Greenville, N.C., area should contact Keith Cobb at daswordslinger@gmail.com or (304) 741-2379.
Thank you for helping provide relief to those in need.