BGS Urges North America Wesleyans Help with Typhoon Victims

BGS Urges North America Wesleyans Help with Typhoon Victims


The Board of General Superintendents said that recent news reports put the mounting death toll in the Philippines at more than 250 persons due to Typhoon Ondoy (also referred to by its international code name Ketsana). Eighty percent of fifteen million residents in and around Manila have been affected by flooding, after a month's worth of rain fell there in one 24-hour period.

Assessment is underway of storm and flood damage suffered by Wesleyan families and churches in the aftermath of the typhoon. Initial reports from Reverend Alberto Patacsil, General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of the Philippines, indicate that at least three Wesleyan congregations on the island of Luzon suffered major damage.

In cooperation with Filipino General Conference leaders, the North American Board of General Superintendents has declared a disaster level emergency for victims of Typhoon Ondoy-Ketsana. Specific North American Wesleyan response efforts will be coordinated with World Hope International as better damage assessments become available. In the meantime, individuals and churches can provide immediate assistance with donations to World Hope International online at www.worldhope.org (click on "Donate Now" on the left-hand navigation bar). District or local church disaster response teams may contact the Hope Corps office at World Hope International.

Five feet of flood waters raged through the Cainta Wesleyan Church, depositing a layer of thick, malodorous mud. Many church members parked their cars at the church, thinking it was a higher place of refuge, before going out to assist fellow members who were evacuating their homes in lower lying areas. Upon returning, however, they discovered that flash floods had covered their automobiles and were flowing through the church building and academy, destroying practically everything. According to Rev. Patacsil, most members of the Cainta church experienced property losses, but thankfully no lives were lost.

Rev. Joel Pascua of the Green Park Wesleyan Church related that he was conducting revival services several hours away in Baguio City, when he learned that flood waters were threatening his community. Returning home, he had to swim through water six feet deep to enter his house. He found his wife and small children safe on the second floor, where they had managed to save a few church and family belongings. However, many other church members' homes, belongings, and businesses were less fortunate.

The pastor of the San Juan Wesleyan Church, located in one of the worst-affected areas of Metro Manila, said many church members' homes were under water there. Fortunately, most residents had been able to climb on their roof tops for safety. However, all of their personal belongings were lost. Additional stories of the storm's impact are expected Wednesday, as pastors who are able to travel attend a previously scheduled ministerial convention at Rosales Bible College, several hours north of Manila.

Board of General Superintendents, The Wesleyan Church

Dr. Thomas E. Armiger
Dr. Jerry G. Pence
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon