On October 19, 2017, the Board Loan Committee of Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) voted to immediately provide a line of credit to the Iglesia Cristiana (Discipulos de Cristo) en Puerto Rico upon a request for rebuilding assistance from Miguel Morales, general pastor. The USD $1,000,000 line of credit is interest-free and fee-free.
“Aid is not coming fast enough after Hurricane Maria,” said Rick Reisinger, president. “This will help bridge the gap between the urgent need and when the insurance payments start coming in.”
The funds will help those Disciples churches with a total loss or extremely severe damage begin repairs so that their buildings can be safely used for gatherings and community service.
“The church is the place where we really develop community,” said Rosario Ibarra, zone advisor for Puerto Rico. “We sing together, pray together, listen to the Word together, become a family together. We use the church building every day, so it is very important to rebuild quickly.”
Funds will go directly to the Christian Church in Puerto Rico for emergency repairs and rebuilding projects it is overseeing.
“This USD $1,000,000 is likely just the beginning of what will be needed to rebuild over the long term,” said Reisinger. “But we hope that this money can help give our partner church some relief now.”
DCEF staff traveled to Puerto Rico from November 25 to 26, 2017 for an emergency “extra-ordinary” meeting of the Joint Commission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico and in the United States and Canada. During this meeting, leaders in both communions discussed the ways general ministries, regions, and local churches in the United States and Canada can further support Puerto Rican Disciples in the midst of this humanitarian crisis following Hurricane Maria.
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