Mission Consortium of Churches International Inc. will be hosting a benefit service on behalf of the Bahamas survivors of hurricane Dorian, on Sunday, Oct.13 at 5 p.m. at the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, 4801 Hwy. 58 in Chattanooga, where the Rev. Dr. Ternae Jordan, Sr. is pastor. 

"This benefit worship service will help to assist with some of the pain and suffering of the Bahamian peoples during this time of hardship, devastation, displacement and loss," organizers said.  "An appeal is being made to the City of Chattanooga to help the Bahamian people to rebuild their lives." 

Dr. Mark Hilton Sandilands and Dr. Pedro Basden, two local Bahamian pastors in Chattanooga, are asking that all pastors, churches and businesses in the city of Chattanooga, the surrounding municipalities of Hamilton County and the general public at-large, partner with them in participating in this great relief effort. 

"Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco and Grand Bahama with category 5 fury on Saturday, Aug. 31 to Wednesday, Sept. 4," organizers said.  "The capital, New Providence Island, had rain, wind,and flooding in low areas, but nothing to speak about compared to the Northern Bahamas. Other islands, like Bimini and the Berry Islands, had rain and high wind."

According to Dr. Sandilands, "Now that Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Bahamas, the work of assessing the damage and beginning to rebuild remains arduous. The official death toll is pegged at 3,500, but is expected to rise from the slow-moving, category 5 hurricane that struck the islands. Thousands have been left homeless. The government has estimated that up to 50,000 people from the Abaco islands and Freeport are in need of food, water and temporary housing, as officials have set up tent or container cities while they clear the country’s ravaged northern region of debris so people can eventually return.

"Many of our friends from across the religious and educational sectors have been in touch with us to express their concern to offer encouragement and to pledge any assistance that can be given.  Truly we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and concern we have received over the last weeks."

Bishop Anthony Ray, a member of the committee that will be sponsoring the Bahamian initiative in the area said, "We prayerfully solicit the support of the city on behalf of our Bahamian brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus following the aftermath of the storm in Freeport Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands, to rally to the cause of ameliorating the suffering and destitute condition that the Bahamas is plagued with at this time." 

For persons and organization desirous of supporting or donating to this humanitarian initiative or catastrophe, a relief fund on behalf of the Bahamas hurricane victims of Dorian, has been set up at Tennessee Valley Credit Union Bank, under name of: Mission Consortium Bahamas Initiative Relief Fund or Mission Consortium B.I.R.F.  Make all checks payable to this fund.  The routing number for the Mission Consortium Bahamas Initiative Relief Fund is 261375684, and the account number is 228765-11.   All donations are tax deductible. 

It is expected that a mass cross-section of individual from surrounding areas are expected to be in attendance to show their support and prayers for the Bahamian People planned Service of Compassion and Love for our Neighbors in the Bahamas and this Great Cause of Humanity for Christ as they share out of the resources of their hearts with those that are in need of clothing, food, shelter and medical attention. 

There will be representatives from the Bahamas at the benefit worship service for the Bahamas Initiative Relief Fund or B.I.R.F., to share an update on the status of the Bahamian people. The Rev. Dr. R.E. Cooper, Jr., pastor of the Mission Baptist Church, Nassau, Bahamas and Rev. Dr. Don Darius Butler, of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Al., who is a native son of the Bahamas will be present also.

For Additional Information contact: Dr. Mark Hilton Sandilands at Power of Touch Church 3111 Calhoun Avenue, Chattanooga, TN. Phone: 423-394-5271 Email: mcci08@yahoo.com 
Or Dr. Pedro Basden at Warren Chapel A.M.E. Church 503 N. Market St. Chattanooga, TN. 37405. Phone 423-267-4992. 







and to pledge any assistance that can be given.  Truly we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and concern we have received over the last weeks."

Bishop Anthony Ray, a member of the committee that will be sponsoring the Bahamian Initiative in the area said, "we prayerfully solicit the support of the City on behalf of our Bahamian brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus following the aftermath of the storm in Freeport Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands to rally to the cause of ameliorating the suffering and destitute condition that the Bahamas is plagued with at this time. 

Persons and organization desirous of supporting or donating to this Humanitarian Initiative or catastrophe a Relief Fund on behalf of the Bahamas Hurricane Victims of Dorian, have been set up at Tennessee Valley Credit Union Bank, under name of: Mission Consortium Bahamas Initiative Relief Fund or Mission Consortium B.I.R.F., please make all checks payable to the said Relief Fund.   The Routing Number for the Mission Consortium Bahamas Initiative Relief Fund. is: 261375684 and Account: 228765-11.   All donations are tax deductible. 

It is expected that a mass cross-section of individual from surrounding areas are expected to be in attendance to show their support and prayers for the Bahamian People planned Service of Compassion and Love for our Neighbors in the Bahamas and this Great Cause of Humanity for Christ as they share out of the resources of their hearts with those that are in need of clothing, food, shelter and medical attention. 

There will be representives from the Bahamas at the Benefit Worship Service for the Bahamas Initiative Relief Fund or B.I.R.F., to share with us some update on the status of the Bahamian People. The Rev. Dr. R.E. Cooper Jr. Pastor of the Mission Baptist Church, Nassau, Bahamas and Rev. Dr. Don Darius Butler First Missionary Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama who is a native son of the Bahamas. 

For Additional Information contact: Dr. Mark Hilton Sandilands at Power of Touch Church 3111 Calhoun Avenue, Chattanooga, TN. Phone: 423-394-5271 Email: mcci08@yahoo.com 
Or Dr. Pedro Basden at Warren Chapel A.M.E. Church 503 N. Market St. Chattanooga, TN. 37405. Phone 423-267-4992.