HURRICANE KATRINA - NOTE FROM PASTOR JAY

Just a word about Hurricane Katrina...First of all, I want to thank everone who has inquired about my parents who live in Metairie. They made it to Jackson at 3am on Monday morning. Since that time, we've slept little, and have been closely watching CNN as well as New Orleans local TV that is now broadcasting on the Internet. The news for the city and region has, as you know, been devastating. It appears now that there has been tremendous loss of life. The governor of Louisiana has asked for today (Wednesday) to be a day of prayer. I encourage everyone to pause for a few minutes today and be in prayer for all of those who have suffered loss throughout this tragedy.

My plans are to travel on Tuesday, conditions permitting, to Metairie with my parents. The Jefferson Parish (County) President has said that they will allow residents to enter the Parish with picture ID to collect their essential belongings but will then be asked to leave for one month while reconstruction efforts get underway. I am going to be whatever help I can - both physical and pastoral - to families in the surrounding neighborhoods where I grew up and will return by Friday or Saturday of next week.

Our God is a good God and we cling to the hope we have in Him. We know from scripture that ALL things work to good for those who love God (Romans 8:28- 30). This is our hope. This is our confidence. This is our strength that enables us to face anything that comes our way. With God's love we can cry out with the apostle Paul, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55)

Please also keep the parents-in-law of Tina Kelly in your prayers. They live 50 miles outside of New Orleans and Tina hasn't heard from them since the disaster. Let's pray that they are okay and will be able to make contact soon with their loved ones.

If you know of others specifically that our church family can be in prayer for - please forward those names and locations to me and I will post them on our web site.

This coming Sunday, we'll be talking about how to work through difficult times and rely on the strength which God provides. Please pray for our weekend service - that it will be a time of Christ's powerful presence and healing. See you Sunday!

With Much Love,
Jay Hutchens
The Promise Church
email: jay@promisechurch.info
web: http://www.promisechurch.info