CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), has granted an initial sum of $10,000 for earthquake relief in New Zealand.
BWAid sent the funds in response to the devastating magnitude 6.3 quake that struck Feb. 22 in the city of Christchurch in the Canterbury region on New Zealand’s South Island. The earthquake caused widespread damage and multiple fatalities with at least 154 confirmed deaths and 240 people missing.
On Sept. 4, 2010, a 7.1 earthquake occurred near Christchurch causing significant destruction of property, including damage to several Baptist churches. The Feb. 22 earthquake is regarded as an aftershock of this earlier occurrence.
Peter Mihaere, general director of the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, said the earthquake was “felt in every New Zealand home. We are stunned as a nation as we experience one of our darkest moments as a country.” He reported that “all of our pastors and their families are safe but some of their congregations and their families are still missing. We pray their rescue is soon.” He also said “a number of church buildings have suffered much damage and we know of one historic building and all buildings near it (that) are completely destroyed.”
Rodney Macann, national leader of the Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUZ), said the nation “is reeling in the wake of a disaster which by world standards is not huge but nevertheless devastating for the people of the Canterbury region.” Macann said the disaster “poses questions for the city and the future ministry of our churches.”
Kelvyn Fairhall, national administrator of BUZ, conveyed gratitude to BWA and all Baptists for their support and help. “Thank you very much for this expression of support; we certainly appreciate this coming from the worldwide family of Baptists.”
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