Christian leaders are calling for strong leadership in responding effectively to Hurricane Katrina. Evangelist Franklin Graham and Mary Marr, CEO of Christian Emergency Network (CEN), have engaged in discussions to respond to the crisis, and agreed that it was critically important that Christians make a coordinated, unified and effective response with love through the unified message of prayer-care-share.
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According to Marr, they both discussed that, “With the outpouring of emotion and help, it is especially critical that, at this time, Christian leaders prayerfully join in a coordinated, unified and effective response.”

Graham left earlier this week for a 2-day tour of Biloxi, Miss., Mobile, Ala., and Shreveport, La. According to CEN, he shared with Marr that he will “encourage Christians to express with one voice the hope that is within us” as he visits the affected regions and victims.

Marr said in response: “We prayed together in preparation for his trip, and I call upon our brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for Franklin and all the Christian relief workers aiding Katrina victims. Let us pray that they would see the hurting people as God sees them, so that they will be equipped to assist them as God would. Let us pray also that as Franklin goes on this journey, not only as a witness to the devastation, but because our nation is also on a journey through this disaster, that as he goes and sees and prays, God can provide him and others with the wisdom required to direct our nation with the spiritual guidance it needs.

“In a conversation with me earlier today, Franklin said that in conversations he’s had with pastors, what he’s hearing is that these people are glad to be in the Houston dome, as many look at it as an escape from their impoverished circumstances.”
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She added, “Clearly, these people are deserving of even a greater hope. The only way Christians will effectively help the victims, both physically and spiritually, is to share the Gospel in a prayer-care-share manner.

“CEN is devoted to helping deliver the Gospel message to those suffering because of Katrina through a message of prayer-care-share, but we know it is important that we respond appropriately. How Christians respond will reflect upon our Lord, so we must offer a proper response.”

Hence, Marr pledged, “CEN is fully committed to collaborating with Franklin Graham and other Christian leaders to demonstrate the importance of Christians working wisely and in unity in response to Hurricane Katrina.”

She added, “We call upon Christians to be in constant and continuous prayer for the victims and for those assisting them, and to recognize the importance of collaborating to ensure that care is provided to meet the immediate physical needs of victims.

“As Franklin said on the phone, ‘However, we must not stop there; we must share our homes, our resources, and unify denominations, churches and ministries to share the hope found only in Jesus, so that people will experience the emotional and spiritual relief offered by the Savior.’”

Franklin said, “I’m an evangelist. The most important thing now is to offer the hope of Jesus Christ in this hour. I support what CEN is doing to unite the body of Christ through a message of prayer-care-share.”

Both have agreed that Christians must commit to staying until past the departure of other non-profits, because the needs will not stop for the victims while it fades from the eyes of the public.

Dr. Mickey Stonier, an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University, said “Listening is something we all can do.”

He says victims will now begin to experience Acute Stress Disorder, referring to a study that found that 90 percent of those who personally experienced the 9/11 attacks have experienced ASD.

The research revealed that 98% of those affected said they needed to talk to someone about what happened. “This is the first step in helping someone heal. After we have listened to their story, then we may earn the right to share our story of how Christ has changed our lives.”

Ninety percent of those affected turned to God to ask, “Where is God in this situation?” Those with strong faith in God received comfort from God while atheists and those with weak faith were discouraged and determined that “God is not here.”

“This is a clear call. People are asking about God. They will turn to God or away from Him. If they choose the former, their sorrow will be turned to joy,” said Marr. “As Franklin travels to these areas and meets the victims, let us pray that God will give him the words to lend comfort, and provide him with the insight needed to help unify the Body of Christ so that we can wisely share the hope found only in Jesus at this point in our nation’s history.”