The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration (AABMC) presented a check for $500,000 to
Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta, Ga., as a part of their commitment to help Haitians rebuild their lives and communities. This contribution is the largest single donation given to Habitat by a faith community for its Haiti earthquake-recovery efforts.
Presidents from
Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; National Baptist Convention, USA; National Baptist Convention of America; National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; and the
Progressive National Baptist Convention were on hand for the presentation. The Baptist communities came together in January of this year and formed the African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration to create an opportunity to more effectively respond to the devastation in Haiti after the earthquake. The partnership with Habitat is one of the first to fulfill that mission.
“We are inspired to invest in this ministry for housing solutions, because we are following the teachings of Jesus who said that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give shelter to those without shelter that we do this for him. We do this for Jesus, and we do this for those who suffer in Haiti,” said
Dr. Stephen John Thurston, President, National Baptist Convention of America. “Habitat is currently providing housing solutions for families in Haiti recovering from January’s earthquake,” said
Mike Carscaddon, executive vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. “Our overall goal is to serve approximately 50,000 families in Haiti, including approximately 3,000 in the town of Cabaret. This significant gift from the AABMC will be used for our work in Cabaret to help 630 families have shelter from the rain.”
The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration represents more than 10 million Christians in the United States, most of whom are of African-American heritage. For more information on AABMC, contact Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley regarding the group effort at (202) 543-3200 or degoatley@aol.com. Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.