American Baptist International Ministries has sent a $5,000 grant to our partner, The Amity Foundation, for immediate relief efforts, after one of the strongest earthquakes to strike China in decades happened Monday, May 12, leaving thousands dead and more missing.

According to news media reports, more than 15,000 people are estimated to have died when the earthquake, which measured 7.9 in magnitude, struck in Sichuan province, an area in Southwestern China. The province is very near a border with Myanmar, which has been devastated recently with a cyclone.

The grant was provided through the American Baptist World Relief Office with One Great Hour of Sharing funds. Ben Chan, area director for East Asia for International Ministries, said much more will be needed.

"We are very grateful for this initial response, which will support the Amity Foundation, which is providing more than $140,000 in immediate aid, such as clean water, food, medicine and shelter on the ground for those affected," said Chan. "Amity is a trusted partner, with good relationships with the churches and the government. They are playing a crucial role in helping victims and will need our continued financial support to be most effective."

American Baptists wishing to support ongoing China efforts can do so through their church’s monthly report of mission support, designating contributions “OGHS-China Earthquake.”  For online contributions, go to the give now option available at www.abc-oghs.org/give.

(People donating money outside of Amity Foundation office in China for earthquake victims)

Since 1950, several American Protestant denominations have annually received the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to support their ministries in disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development aid.  American Baptists joined this effort in 1973. Today, nine Christian denominations currently raise about $20 million annually through this offering. Each denomination retains what it raises to support vital ministries in more than 70 countries around the world.

American Baptist International Ministries, organized in 1814, is the oldest Baptist mission agency formed in North America.  We serve more than 2,500 short-term and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in 76 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.

***Photos provided by the Amity Foundation

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