Good Samaritans Flooded the Community

By Rachel Mari

Rev. Brad Gray, a pastor at Calvary Temple in Wayne, NJ, saw firsthand the fury and devastation unleashed by Hurricane Irene. But he also was a witness as the power of God came in like a flood.

It is estimated that Hurricane Irene caused $7-$10 billion dollars in damages along the East Coast. Especially hit hard were communities like Wayne, Lincoln Park, Little Falls, Paterson and other Northern New Jersey towns and cities along the Ramapo and Passaic Rivers.

Staff and volunteers from Calvary Temple joined with Samaritan’s Purse to work alongside local residents who had lost much of their homes and belongings, removing debris and sanitizing destroyed basements and first floors. Additionally, many volunteers stepped forward to provide food, shelter, and other essentials of life to the affected families; Prayer and counsel were also offered at every stop.

Gray, the business administrator at Calvary Temple, said some people even came to faith in Christ as a result of the outreach.

“Many found comfort from the love of Christ expressed by the faith-based community,” he said.

Because of the Hurricane, Calvary Temple had to postpone a scheduled baptism service. When that service was held a couple of weeks later, among those baptized were some of the people who came to Christ during the storm.

“God truly can use any event to seek and save the lost, if we are willing to do our part,” said Gray.

Calvary Temple continues to provide food, clothing, and house wares to families that lost everything. A host of other churches and ministries, such as Jacksonville Chapel in Lincoln Park and Star of Hope in Paterson, also reached out following the historic storm.

“It was especially powerful how so many of the churches within the community worked together to help the hundreds of families displaced by the flooding,” Gray said. “The witness of the church has never been so strong; we worked together to be his hand extended.”

Beth Israel Seeks Help Following Extensive Storm Damage

Beth Israel Worship Center was hit by flooding after recently completing the construction of a brand new sanctuary. As the damage sustained was severe, the scope of the congregation’s needs is broad, including: office, classroom, and sanctuary furniture, all office machines and supplies, carpeting, building materials, cleaning supplies, etc. Volunteers and donations for the restoration work are also being welcomed. Volunteers may contact jerusalemcenter@optonline.net.