National Ministries participates in multi-denominational project to rebuild New Orleans homes
American Baptist volunteer groups--sponsored by National Ministries' Volunteers in Mission--participated in a first-of-its-kind ecumenical effort to repair or rebuild about a dozen homes in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. More than 500 volunteers representing 10 Christian denominations cooperated in the project, spearheaded by the humanitarian agency Church World Service, which spanned four weeks from April 19 to May 16. National Ministries' Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III was on hand in New Orleans, La., to celebrate the faith in action the project represented and offer prayers of hope and thanksgiving.
Franklin Nash Sr., Montgomery Hill
Baptist Church,
Silver Spring, MD
Paige Smith, Montgomery Hill
Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD
Banner highlighting all partners
Volunteers, homeowners and residents marched in a parade to the build site.
Denominational leaders, including National Ministries' Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III (center), set the pace for jubilant marchers.
Homeowner Gloria Mouton (fourth from left) was happy to share cutting the ribbon to her new home with Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries' executive director (second from left).
Inside Mouton's new home, joy filled the new homeowner, as well as Wright-Riggins and media reporters.
Well done, good and faithful servants: Volunteers (left to right) Aleta Bryant, Barbra Bleeker and Cynthia Watson pause for a Kodak moment with National Ministries' staff Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, executive director (left), and Ken George, national coordinator of Direct Human Services (right). Bryant and Watson are members of First Baptist Church, Bennington, Vt. Bleeker belongs to St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, N.J.
