INFORMATION SERVICE
Baptist World Alliance Eron Henry, Associate Director of Communications
Neville Callam, General Secretary
September 15, 2010
For Immediate Release |
Churches damaged in New Zealand quake
|
Washington (BWA)
A number of Baptist churches were damaged in an earthquake
that affected the South Pacific nation of New Zealand in the early morning of
September 4.
Despite being a powerful temblor measuring 7.1, a similar
strength as the earthquake that devastated Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince on
January 12, killing several hundred thousand people, the New Zealand earthquake did not result in loss of
life.
Buildings and other structures
were severely affected, including churches, and there were widespread power
outages. "Several of our churches are very badly damaged and one will have to
be demolished," said Rodney Macann, national leader of the Baptist Union of New
Zealand.
Macann informed the Baptist World Alliance that the churches
were fully insured. "Money is not the greatest need, rather prayer for people
to deal with the trauma as the aftershocks continue and many have had their
normal living patterns disrupted." The aftershocks, he reported, are expected
to continue for several months.
There are approximately 30 Baptist churches in the area
close to the epicenter of the quake near Christchurch, New Zealand's second
largest urban area. Members of these churches have been offering assistance to
those affected."A number of our churches have responded magnificently to
community needs," said Macann.
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