Category: NEWS

Deadly Tornadoes Ravage Communities in Six States

Post author By acs_admin
Post date December 13, 2021

UPDATE – DECEMBER 14, 2021

The recent Midwest tornadoes have left communities with considerable damage to homes and property, closed roads, power outage, and numerous fatalities. ACS directors in the affected conferences have spent many hours connecting with members of their Disaster Response team to determine the needs that ACS might be able to assist with. These needs include warehouse management, mobile distribution of goods, and debris removal.

Kentucky-Tennessee Conference – Partnering with local churches in the Kentucky area to help with debris removal and putting together a Warehouse Management team.
South Central Conference – Preparing to deploy Warehouse teams in Kentucky and Tennessee as needed.
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference – Forming multiple teams that will deliver goods throughout the affected areas in Arkansas.
Lake Region Conference – Conducting a needs assessment in Illinois.

Please remember the communities affected by this tragedy, as well as those responding to the needs.

On December 10, 2021, a deadly tornado moved across Western Kentucky, causing havoc on numerous towns in the state. Crossing through twelve counties during its lifespan, the tornado was exceptionally long-tracked, traveling over 200 miles that produced a series of strong tornadoes in five other states, as well. At least 45 fatalities have been confirmed, although the total death toll is estimated to be nearly 100. It is declared to be the largest tornado recorded in history.

North American Division Adventist Community Services (NAD ACS) has been in communication with the ACS Disaster Response leaders in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi. Currently, Kentucky appears to be the State most heavily impacted. Assessment is taking place at present and some of our conferences, Kentucky-Tennessee, South Central, Arkansas-Louisiana, and Georgia- Cumberland, are actively putting together their teams for work. The Kentucky-Tennessee Conference is purchasing supplies to aid in the Relief Efforts. We are also staying connected to the Emergency Management in the affected areas.

If you would like to make a monetary donation towards the tornado relief efforts, please see the links below.

Kentucky-Tennessee Conference – https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANTIII/envelope/start
Select ‘community services‘. (You can find this option by clicking “more offering categories” under “Conference/Union”)
South Central Conference – https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANTPPP/envelope/start
Under Conference/union – choose ‘more offering categories‘ and select ACS – Disaster Response
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference – https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANW444/envelope/start
You can choose ‘Disaster Relief‘ for either Louisiana or Arkansas.

Community Development Health NEWS

Gateway Grace Dental Clinic at PACS

Post author By acs_admin
Post date November 10, 2021

How does a visit to the dentist make you feel?

By: Colette Newer, Associate Director of Adventist Community Services at the North American Division

Carol answered the phone and heard “You have to see me, it is the law!” This was a call to Gateway Grace Dental Clinic in Portland, Oregon from a potential client, frustrated by her previous experiences with care providers. Carol’s reply took the caller aback, “We would love to see you! Let’s make sure you qualify.” The woman called back an hour later in tears, apologizing for her initial behavior.

Teeth aren’t the only thing the dental center considers as they interact with their patients. As low-income patients, many have had negative experiences with care providers, but the caller, as well as many others, have expressed their surprise about how pleasant their experience was at Gateway Grace. It is a testament to the intentional care given by the staff to making each patient’s experience uplifting, as well as healing.

Gateway Grace is a service of Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS) who also operates a food pantry, mobile food distribution, and thrift store.

Van used for mobile distribution making food accessible to those who would find it especially difficult to get to the ACS Center.

Sam Crespo volunteers twice a week to drive the mobile pantry to seven different locations in the Portland metro area.

Even through the mask, you can see Ariela’s smile as she welcomes guests to the dental clinic.

One of the dental treatment areas graced by a photograph by Dick Duerksen.

Carol offers compassion and patience alongside her dental hygienist skills.

Community Development Disaster Response Donations Hurricanes Local Conference NEWS

Arkansas-Louisiana ACS Distributes Goods to Communities During Ida Recovery

Post author By acs_admin
Post date October 11, 2021

One of the volunteers interviewing residents to document their need

Though Hurricane Ida touched down in Louisiana over a month ago on August 29, 2021, several communities affected by this tragic disaster event continue to struggle. ACS at the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference has been engaged in the Recovery Efforts under the leadership of Lavida Whitson, conference ACS Director, who had been gathering various goods over the past number of years. Fortunately, these much-needed goods that were on hand were ready to be distributed to community members through a Distribution Center that was set up in Hammond. However, there were some families that didn’t have the ability to travel the long distance to Hammond which led to ACS coordinating mobile distributions in certain areas. In addition to giving away supplies, ACS volunteers also assisted with debris cleanup.

On October 9, 2021, Sabbath morning, fifteen ACS team members came together to assist the small town of Maurepas by providing them comfort kits and cleaning tools such as shovels, brooms, mops, and other cleaning supplies. Initially, no one showed up, and then Lavida realized that they had done everything but pray, so she offered the first prayer. And then, another team member gave a closing prayer to request God’s presence in their work. At the close of his prayer, they opened their eyes to see a line of cars patiently waiting on them. At this point the team sprang into action and continued doing so until everything they had was gone.

While assisting in Maurepas, a contact from the Indian Nation had reached out asking for help. During the Katrina Recovery Efforts, ACS assisted the Houma Indian Nation for many months, and based on this history, they were asking if we might be able to assist with Ida Recovery also. NAD ACS Director, Derrick Lea, along with Whitson, met with the Vice Principal Chief of the Houma Nation to get an overview of what the needs were within his community and ascertain how ACS could be of support. The Nation was made up of around 17,000 individuals out of which many had been displaced. Even though rebuilding of the homes was determined to be the greatest need, clothing, bedding, and other household items were also in demand. The local ACS team is putting goods together for distribution in this community. They will carry out similar work in other impacted areas as well, in the next few days. “ACS will continue serving though the news no longer highlights this continued need. One resident approached me as we surveyed the damage to the Houma Nation radio station and asked, “What are we supposed to do?” While I didn’t have a good answer, I did express to her our intent of helping her and people like her with the goods that we have. My hope is these efforts combined with others will ensure a livable situation for many that have been overlooked,” stated Lea.

One of the trailers filled with the goods to be distributed

ACS team praying for God’s presence in their work

A resident with his tractor came looking for assistance

Cars lining up to receive cleaning supplies

Signs like this blanketed the Houma Nation community

Houma Nation headquarters with destroyed radio station next door

Community Community Development Local Conference NEWS Refugees

Chesapeake and Wisconsin Conferences Help Afghan Refugees

Post author By acs_admin
Post date September 13, 2021

ACS teams in various conferences such as Wisconsin and Chesapeake are providing assistance to refugees arriving from Afghanistan. Wisconsin Conference ACS Director, Alice Garrett, has been in collaboration with the Wisconsin VOAD (WI VOAD) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) to help more than 12,000 refugees who are currently being housed at Fort McCoy. They have put together a needs list consisting of new clothing and shoes. Garrett is reaching out to our local churches to collect and deliver goods consisting of new clothing and shoes. “I am so grateful for our churches generosity and money has been turned in so we can purchase some things the Fort is in need of,” said Garrett. “So far, I have good help and we will be able to make this happen,” she added.

Chesapeake Conference ACS team members are also responding to the Afghanistan crisis by providing emotional and spiritual care to the evacuees. There were 36,000 who arrived at Dulles airport in Virginia and thousands of others who arrived in Philadelphia. “These are people who are having to completely restart their lives. Many are experiencing shock. We’re here for them in these moments of change, stress, and loneliness. We’re here to show them care and love and to let them know that they’re not alone,” stated Ignacio Goya, ACS Director for Chesapeake Conference. Click here to read article by the Chesapeake Conference.

ConfDirectors Local Conference NEWS

Former Gulf States Conference ACS Director Passes Away

Post author By acs_admin
Post date September 8, 2021

We regret to announce the passing of Pr. Ray Lamare Elsberry on August 26, 2021, at age 78 in Dora, Alabama. He served as the ACS and ACS Disaster Response Director for the Gulf States Conference for over 14 years and held these positions unofficially for over 22 years in various capacities, as well. Ray also held the State VOAD Chair position until he retired from his responsibilities in October of 2019. In addition, he pastored the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Columbus, Mississippi and in Phil Campbell, Alabama. He was a devout Christian who never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone he came across.

Ray was an instrumental leader over the decades for ACS ministry. He was recognized for his work in ACS at the Gulf States Conference Executive Committee meeting in October of 2019, where he was presented with plaques from NAD ACS and the Gulf States Conference to honor his dedication to helping others. “I so enjoyed working with Ray within the Gulf States territory. I could count on him to know exactly who to speak with in order to accomplish the work that needed to be done. Ray was truly a resource and I will miss him,” said, W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Director.

Please keep Nita Elsberry, wife of Ray, and the family in your prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult time.

Dave Livermore, right, president of Gulf States Conference, presents Pr. Ray Elsberry with a plaque to honor his service in ACS.

The administrative team of the Gulf States Conference present Pr. Elsberry with a plaque.

Disaster Response Floods NEWS

Flooding From Ida Affects New York and New Jersey

Post author By acs_admin
Post date September 7, 2021

Flash floods from the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept through the states of New York and New Jersey last Wednesday, August 31, wreaking havoc and killing around 50 people. New York City officials reported that the rain on Wednesday night, 3.1 inches in Central Park within an hour, shattered the record set only few days before, when 1.94 inches of rain fell in the park during Tropical Storm, Henri. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency in New York City for the first time. ACS leaders from both the Northeastern and Greater New York conferences are working closely with their local Disaster Response teams and volunteers in the affected areas to bring relief to communities devastated by this catastrophic flooding.

Let’s remember in our prayers the survivors and those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.

Disaster Response Food Aid Hurricanes Local Conference NEWS Video

ACS DR Teams Respond to Hurricane Ida

Post author By acs_admin
Post date September 1, 2021

UPDATE – September 7, 2021

The Southwest Region Conference has been housing residents from New Orleans and surrounding areas whose homes had to be evacuated, at various locations around the conference office. The largest facility that was able to accommodate most people was the Lone Star campground in Athens, Texas. In addition to ACS providing aid, other departments from the conference have stopped by such as the Family Ministries Director, W.S. Lee, who met with many individuals on the campground. Since social distancing rules are in place, the number of people will be kept to a reasonable amount before they’re directed to other facilities such as WHO (World Harvest Organization) and Fondren in Houston who have prepared their churches for any overflow. The evacuees are provided with food and other essential items, as well. The Arkansas-Louisiana Conference is preparing to set up a Mobile Distribution into some of the hardest-hit areas by collecting goods that will be used for this operation. However, people are being asked not to come into the area due to the high flood waters, downed power lines, and fallen trees. Hammond and Grand Isle were hit the hardest as the storm swept through these areas as a Category 3 hurricane.

Having evacuated from New Orleans, Derrick tells of how he might move his family to another less vulnerable area.

one of the cabins used by those evacuated out of New Orleans.

On Sunday afternoon, August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall along the U.S. northern Gulf coast as a Category 4 storm, severely affecting Louisiana and Mississippi with drenching rains, relentless winds, and massive storm surge. More than 2,500 people fled Ida’s path and spent Sunday night in community shelters. Over one million residents are currently without power across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Many neighborhoods that are still recovering from the devastation of hurricanes in 2020 are now facing flooded homes yet again, along with a daunting recovery process. And Hurricane Ida isn’t done yet; expected flash flooding, damaging winds, and significant rainfall will continue as the storm moves north this week.

We have been in constant contact with our ACS leadership at the local conferences who are currently on the ground with their Disaster Response teams rendering support to the affected communities. Southwest Region Conference ACS Director, Durandel Ford, is leading his team in providing food and other needed items through mobile distribution. They are also setting up shelters at a few local churches to house evacuees. ACS Director of Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, Lavida Whitson, is working with her team to compile supplies that will be used either at a specific point of Distribution or take them into the devastated areas.

Please remember in your prayers the communities who have been affected by this disaster event.

Photo Credit: Edmund D. Fountain for The New York Times

Disaster Response Floods Local Conference NEWS

ACS Responds to Flash Floods in Tennessee

Post author By acs_admin
Post date August 30, 2021

The State of Tennessee was recently hit by devastating flooding on Saturday, August 21, 2021, after a record-breaking rainfall. The Emergency Management authorities have reported that at least 22 people were killed and 50 others remain missing that weekend after catastrophic flash floods swept through Middle Tennessee. ACS was asked to identify a Warehouse Management team to work in Waverly. The South Central Conference ACS Disaster Response will be engaged in this effort, under the leadership of both ACS co-directors, Lillie Buckingham and Barbara Barnes. A 100,000 square foot Warehouse is currently being set up for operations and will serve the community for the next few weeks in partnership with the state. The Kentucky-Tennessee Conference ACS director, Mike Hewitt, visited the site today and we plan to identify local volunteers that can be used to supplement this effort and ultimately take over the operation once trained to do so by the South Central force.

Please remember in your prayers the affected communities and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.

The impact of the flooding in the Waverly area of Tennessee. Photo: Hardin County Fire Department, Savannah Tennessee/Facebook

ADRA Disaster Response Donations NEWS Partnership

ACS on Standby to Assist in Haiti Earthquake Relief

Post author By acs_admin
Post date August 18, 2021

UPDATE – August 24, 2021

ADRA is on the ground assisting with the Recovery Efforts in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti few days ago. A needs assessment was conducted which reveals that food, shelter, and hygiene kits are the three basic needs. All the humanitarian items that are being distributed to the affected communities are bought in Haiti which is quicker, cheaper, and supports the local economy.

While these efforts continue to take place, ACS teams within the North American Division such as the Texas Conference are finding productive ways to support the work. They have partnered with Reach Out America to send 16 pallets of various items to Haiti, such as new clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene kits, and clean-up buckets. UPS is supplying a 747 jumbo-jet to transport these items.

If you would like to help, ADRA International is requesting monetary donations at this time, given the hardship of sending supplies overseas. All financial support given to ADRA International will go directly to the local response team, ADRA Haiti, who has been the lead of this current effort.

Let us continue to remember those who have lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy, in our prayers.

On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti approximately 78 miles (128 km) west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, with a 6.2 miles (10 km) depth. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates “high casualties are probable and significant damage is likely” with the number of deaths currently estimated in the hundreds and thousands injured, making it the deadliest earthquake of 2021.

While ACS teams respond to disasters and crisis events within the North American Division, history shows us that many of our members are affected by such types of occurrences in the Inter-American Division as they have family and friends that reside there. Given this reality, we are in communication with our colleagues at the Inter-American Division, ADRA International, and ADRA Haiti to ascertain the needs on the ground and determine how we can be of assistance.

Even though ADRA is the responding organization for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, some of our conferences are standing at the ready to supplement and support their efforts as needed. The NAD ACS leadership is in discussion with these conferences such as Northeastern that have expressed concern and their willingness to render aid. Currently, a needs assessment is being conducted in the affected areas. The earthquake has left behind thousands injured, and many hospitals and clinics overwhelmed. ADRA is working in collaboration with these institutions to meet needs support requested such as transportation, food, medication, and other supplies.

Please keep those affected by this tragic event and the responders in your prayers.

Read the latest update by ADRA International.