Shalom!
You most likely have not heard of us. You will not hear about us on TV, radio, or in the newspaper. The reason is we don't have the time or resources to send out but this simple call for help. We are small but determined group busy and dedicated in helping our own Gulf Coast Messianic Community and that takes up all of our time. That's why we need you. 

In this very hour of our tragedy, where many hundreds lay dead, many more thousands are without homes and many, many more are in need of food, supplies and aid -- Shall I be so bold to ask of you, nay to call upon the Almighty of Yisrael to stir the souls of my own brothers and sisters in the Messianic faith, to come to our aid and support?

Do you remember the Scriptures? In Proverbs 25 "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink" and in Matthew 25, the Messiah states "For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: was Naked, and ye clothed me... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

It is often in tough times like this that truly test the fiber of relationships and exposes the true nature and character of people. It is a test like no other, one that cuts deep into one's soul. It exposes everyone down to the marrow (the core of a bone). If we are to feed even our own enemies and even to help "the least of these" what light is shed upon helping one's brother and sister in the faith and helping them help their neighbors?

Shall we choose this day to continue on as a fragmented people or use this opportunity to rise to the name of "Yisrael" and to that name be true. If we cannot assist our own family, other Torah observant Messianic believers, then what will that say about us?

At the end of the day will I call you an acquaintance or friend or will I call you my one and true beloved, flesh of my flesh, flesh of His flesh, my brother and sister in the Messiah, one who has shown compassion in our time of need?

Right now it is sometime hard to "see the forest for the trees" since we are in the midst of the crisis and located in the middle of the disaster area. We are generally encouraged by the nation's outpouring of compassion for the Gulf Coast but have been discouraged so far at the response of the Messianic Community.

We are a simple people. You will not hear about us on TV, radio, or in the newspaper.  That's why we need your help.

While we are busy helping Messianic congregations and families with food, water, building supplies, clean-up, etc. we do not have the time to put out a "Call for Help" to the Messianic Community around the world. I know some may have already given and organized efforts. We do not have a large "network" of contacts to help fundraise and organize donations. But there is one thing that we do have... "boots on the ground" and we "Know the Needs in our Community."

Since we ARE the Messianic Community in South-East Louisiana, South Mississippi, South Alabama, and West Florida. We ARE simply the BEST to know what the NEEDS are AND how to best use donated resources to have a true impact AND how to do all of this while having the best impact for the witness of the Messiah.

Our time must continue to be consumed by helping Messianic families and congregations and in helping them help their neighbors. Since we have already expended our own funds and supplies in our work we are now TOTALLY reliant upon the larger Messianic Community to continue this relief effort. So far the reply has been a lot less than required. We have only raised $2,000 and have received no shipments of supplies except one trailer load driven down from an Oklahoma ministry. We do expect two Messianic congregations with loads this week but the response so far has been disappointing. The need is much greater than we can respond to. On our web site, listed below, we list our needs in detail. Please take the time to review them.

WE NEED YOU TO help promote us, to campaign for us, to get the word and to be our advocate for us to the Messianic World.

MessianicRelief.org was started by the Gulf Coast Messianic Community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. At this time will direct you to our existing Katrina Relief web site, below, established shortly after the storm.

We pray that our first-hand experience in this time of disaster might bear the fruit of an opportunity to later serve your Messianic Community in the future in your time of need.

Peace be unto you and your home,
David Rogers

Coast Messianic
Hurricane Katrina Emergency Relief Project