ABHMS launches $1,000,000 campaign to address COVID-19
VALLEY FORGE, PA (6/9/20)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) officially launches its One Great Hour of sharing (OGHS) United States and Puerto Rico campaign, “COVID-19 Recovery: Renewing Hope and Service.”
“Our world continues to face an unprecedented public health crisis,” says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray. “Households across the country are impacted emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally, economically and relationally. A multitude of needs must be met, and we must unite as a people of faith to strengthen, help and uphold each other during this time of trial and recovery.”
The funds raised for ABHMS’ OGHS COVID campaign will be distributed across the United States and Puerto Rico as grants addressing the following needs:
- unemployment or loss of income;
- housing, hunger and access to healthcare;
- churches and community organizations that provide shelter and relief for immigrant populations;
- programs that support the well-being and mental health of faith leaders, congregations and communities; and
- support for American Baptist regions and denominationally-related colleges, universities and seminaries, along with community ministries (Neighborhood Action Programs and other service organizations) that are serving families in marginalized settings.
Learn how American Baptists are being affected by the Coronavirus via a podcast and a print story every week on abhms.org.
To give to OGHS for support of relief initiatives across the United States and Puerto Rico, donations can be made online, via your church or check payable to American Baptist Home Mission Societies and mailed to the attention of Leda Carter at American Baptist Home Mission Societies, 1075 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. Write “OGHS-COVID Recovery: US & PR” on the memo line.
To give to OGHS COVID response for support of international relief efforts, donations can be made online, via your church or check payable to International Ministries and mailed to the attention of Donor Services at International Ministries, 1003 W. 9th Ave., Suite A, King of Prussia, PA 19406. Write “OGHS-COVID RESPONSE: INTERNATIONAL” on the memo line.
One hundred percent of donations go to relief efforts; no dollars are retained for administrative costs.
One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches.
International Ministries, also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
