Faith amid the storm: The anniversary of Katrina
PEARLINGTON, MISS. — Before Hurricane Katrina, few people in this swampland fishing community had ever heard of the Churches of Christ.
But after the nation’s worst natural disaster, church members came to help — and asked nothing in return.
“Just about anybody you talk to in Pearlington knows who we are andthat we care,” said Johnny Hays, an elder at the Picayune church, about30 miles north of here. Seven Pearlington families have been baptizedsince the hurricane a year ago.
All along the Gulf Coast, Christians’ compassion has opened doors. But physical and spiritual needs remain immense.
“Weare a long way from being even close to normal, and we still need a lotof help,” said Fred Franke, an elder at the Carrollton Avenue church inNew Orleans.
(Photo caption: A man fishes off what remains of the Highway 90 bridge near the Ocean Springs, Miss., church.)
Sept. 1, 2006
But after the nation’s worst natural disaster, church members came to help — and asked nothing in return.
“Just about anybody you talk to in Pearlington knows who we are andthat we care,” said Johnny Hays, an elder at the Picayune church, about30 miles north of here. Seven Pearlington families have been baptizedsince the hurricane a year ago.
All along the Gulf Coast, Christians’ compassion has opened doors. But physical and spiritual needs remain immense.
“Weare a long way from being even close to normal, and we still need a lotof help,” said Fred Franke, an elder at the Carrollton Avenue church inNew Orleans.
(Photo caption: A man fishes off what remains of the Highway 90 bridge near the Ocean Springs, Miss., church.)
Sept. 1, 2006
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