UPDATE – September 19, 2022
FROM: South Central Conference ACS Team
On Saturday, September 17, 2022, the Jackson Area church members along with Canton, Mississippi members, South Mississippi ACS Federation/Disaster team, Central Mississippi ACS Federation, and South Central Conference ACS Co-Directors coordinated a bottled water/sweet potatoes/cereal distribution in response to the Jackson Water crisis. Over 30 pallets of bottled water, 2,500 pounds of sweet potatoes, four pallets of Post Cereal, and adult and baby wipes, etc., were distributed to the general public at E. E. Rogers Seventh-day Adventist School. The water was donated by local area donors and our church families as far away as Memphis, Tennessee, Hatties-burg, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Over 350 cars were served at this distribution which was supported by over 90 Area church volunteers. This was truly Adventist Community Services in action.
UPDATE – September 6, 2022
Residents of Jackson, Mississippi, are facing a clean water shortage, days after Gov. Tate Reeves announced that a major pump at the city’s main water treatment facility was damaged. The city’s mayor stated that the current water crisis is a result of years-long issues. The South Central Conference ACS has been leading the Recovery efforts under the coordination of Lillie Buckingham and Barbara Barnes.
A major water distribution took place this past Sabbath at 3:00 pm, which was overseen by our ACS Federation. The ACS team arrived early afternoon at the E.E. Rogers SDA Academy to begin preparing the parking lot for the distribution. We had over 100 volunteers, both young and old, who arrived along with their pastoral leadership from the three local SDA churches nearby. Pallets of water were lined up to form lanes so residents could drive through as they received two cases per household. In total, 17 pallets/15,000 bottles of water were given out. The smiles on the faces of those that received the help were only matched by those serving in 90-degree heat. From students of the elementary school to teenagers, to young adults, and our seniors also supported this tremendous effort.
Pastor Harden of the Berean SDA Church stated that he saw many of his members who had not returned to church since COVID-19, assisting with the water distribution for hours. “While the work was taxing, the help provided by so many made the work lighter and the laughs and camaraderie truly blessed those in attendance,” stated W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Executive Director. South Central’s ACS Co-Director, Barbara Barnes, thanked the crowd at the end of the event and stressed that the need would continue, as this water crisis was a long-term problem that would require additional support in the coming days.
As the situation continues to develop, ACS will work with local organizations, businesses, and governmental leaders to determine how we might be a resource during these challenging times. Currently, financial donations are being requested for these efforts. However, they may be willing to take delivery of water to local churches soon.
Please keep the city of Jackson in your prayers, as well as the volunteers who are responding to this crisis.
Water for Jackson, MS!
September 1, 2022 | Nashville, TN | South Central Conference
The South Central Conference Adventist Community Service Disaster Response Team (ACS DR) has partnered with the members of the South Mississippi churches, to provide some relief in response to the recent water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. The city’s clean water shortage occurred after the city experienced a high level of flooding due to heavy rainfall over the last week, leaving the city without enough safe water for people to use.
Water distribution is planned for this Saturday afternoon, September 3rd at 3:00 pm at the E. E. Rogers Seventh-day Adventist School located at 5125-B Robinson Road, Jackson, MS 39204. ACS DR has coordinated with various providers to contribute to this giveaway.
You are able to contribute to the Jackson response by donating through the tithe envelope line with Jackson MS Water Crisis written on the line label. You can also give online at www.adventistgiving.org – with South Central Conference chosen as the church. Enter your donation amount on the Jackson MS Water Crisis line. Additionally, you can give through Cashapp using the handle $iamsouthcentral. Please put Jackson MS Water Crisis on the for line. You can mail in your donation to the conference office at the following address:
South Central Conference
Jackson MS Water Crisis
715 Youngs Lane
Nashville, TN 37207