News

Haiti Earthquake

International Cooperating Ministries Reports on Condition of Churches in Haiti and Appeals for Support to Assist Earthquake Victims:
Says Partner Churches in the Dominican Republic are Bracing for Influx of Refugees
Contact: Janice Rosser Allen, International Cooperating Ministries, 1-800-999-3892 or 757-827-6704

HAMPTON, Va., Jan. 14, 2010 – International Cooperating Ministries (ICM) has confirmed that none of the 28 completed ministry-sponsored “mother” churches in the western and northern regions of Haiti have been adversely affected by the recent devastating earthquake, and that these churches are standing ready to assist quake victims from other parts of the island nation that have been ravaged by the initial quake and subsequent aftershocks. The ministry is currently attempting to make contact with in-country church partners to determine the condition of the six other partially built ICM churches in the Port-au-Prince area, which was hardest hit.

Additionally, ICM reported that 38 sponsored churches in the Dominican Republic are preparing for a flood of refugees from Haiti who are expected to cross the border as they seek assistance in the aftermath of the quake. Two sponsored churches in the town of Eliás Pińa, Dominican Republic, which is approximately 50 miles northwest of Port-au-Prince, are expected to be the first churches to welcome and assist quake victims.

“It is at times like this that local churches are best able to provide direct outreach to the victims in their need,” said Dois Rosser, Founder and Chair Emeritus. “And, as we are provided additional information and updates, ICM and our partners will direct donations and spiritual ministry to the Haitian people in crisis, beginning with the most deeply affected areas.”

To accomplish the outreach to Haiti, ICM is now in the process of receiving and processing charitable donations via their Web site: http://www.icm.org/haiti. Donations will provide both direct aid to victims and help repair or rebuild churches that are likely to have been damaged or destroyed. Updates will also be posted on that page as they become available.

ICM has been actively involved in church growth and nurturing believers in Haiti since 1997, and has an additional 19 other church-building projects underway in that country. To maximize financial resources, ICM’s church-building strategy involves planting “mother” churches in countries around the world, each of which then establishes a minimum of five “daughter churches.” The cost to build a “mother” church in Haiti averages approximately $12,000.

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About ICM:
ICM (www.icm.org) is a non-profit, trans-denominational parachurch ministry guided by God’s Word, a strong statement of faith, and the Lausanne Covenant.  Cooperating with His grace, ICM helps to nurture believers and assist Church growth with a strong vision for seeing people, communities, and nations transformed through Jesus Christ and His Church—truly actualizing Christ’s commission to “make disciples of all nations!”