Members respond
to terrorist attacks

CANINE RESCUER--Jen Louw aids rescue dog. [Photos by Bill Louw]

NEAR GROUND ZERO--New York rescue workers.

GROUND ZERO WEST--Salvation Army gives aid to rescue workers.

SALVATION ARMY--Queens and Nassau canteens, where Bill Louw worked

CHURCH STREET--No. 2 and No. 4 World Trade Center

Following are additional messages received by Pastor General Joseph Tkach from international areas expressing sympathy and encouragement in the wake of the terrorism that occurred Sept. 11. Other comments from international areas appeared in the October issue.

My deepest condolences are with the American people. The shock and loss of what happened in New York and Washington is tremendous. In Europe we are shocked, knowing full well that Western values and freedom are also under attack. I pray that God may give President Bush great wisdom in taking the right decisions.

The brethren in south India, my family and I were shocked at the terrible attack on your great country. The loss of life and property of the innocent is inexcusable.

We were inspired by the acts of bravery and love shown by many in your hour of trial. One Indian from Bangalore who was working in the World Trade Center when the first plane hit it, and who managed to escape just before the tower collapsed, related how he was helped to reach the place where his wife was waiting for him, more than 30 miles away, by two young American women in a car who were ready to risk their lives to help him. He, a Hindu, was deeply moved by this act of kindness.

In spite of the devilish acts of violence perpetrated by the few, God’s light shines through the lives of many. We are all praying for your country in this sad hour. May God give you peace.

Greetings again and hope you all are coping with the heartbreaking situation. We share your grief and sorrow, even as one Dominican is on the missing list. Sept. 15 we had a special service of prayer and intercession on behalf of all Americans and victims’ families.

For maximum personal participation, we divided into three groups—men, women and youths—and followed the guidelines from the National Association of Evangelicals and the book of Habakkuk.

We will continue our prayer vigil through the days ahead. This tragedy seems to be on us in the Caribbean as much as the United States.

We are still stunned, and everyone here is deeply affected by the terrorist attacks. Seeing the events unfold live on television blurred the border between fictional movies and reality.

I get the feeling that it has undermined everyone’s feelings of security in a way that few events have produced, perhaps since World War II.

The emotional turmoil—the close escapes so many experienced—mixed with the tragic grieving of those still missing family members—has hit home everywhere. So many nations, including Australia, have been deeply and directly affected. Families here have lost loved ones too.

Ian Thorpe, our world-record swimmer, was in New York City on holidays and was heading out from his hotel nearby to go to the observation deck of the World Trade Center and missed death by 15 minutes.

It will surely be recorded as another day in infamy. Our deepest sympathies are with our friends throughout the United States.

The Canadian people were shocked and profoundly saddened by the tragic events of Sept. 11. Many travelers stranded when planes were redirected to Canada because of the U.S. airport shutdown were taken into homes and looked after until they could get on their way. There have been fund-raising efforts all over the country on behalf of the families of the victims.

There is a growing realization, as the days pass, that these events are going to have a deep and long-term effect on our world. No one is safe from this sort of attack. The evil of these events is stark and clear. It is all the more evident that mankind has such desperate need for the forgiveness, comfort, transformational power and hope in the gospel.

We pray for the families and loved ones of the dead. We pray for all world leaders to use wisdom in how they respond. We pray that out of this terrible series of acts some good may yet come, as people turn to God in their sorrow and vulnerability, and learn to love and care more for one another.

America—our prayers and support are with you in this time of suffering and challenge.

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey—Members John Hunter and Stan Daniel set up a ham radio to help emergency units communicate between Jersey City and Ground Zero, according to a Sept. 25 article by Michaelangelo Conte in The Jersey Journal.

Mr. Conte wrote that Mr. Hunter, a member of the Jersey City Amateur Radio Club, heard of the disaster from his car radio and jumped into action, as he knew that the collapse of the World Trade Center towers would disrupt area communications.

Mr. Hunter called Mr. Daniel and they gathered radio equipment, pipes, solder, tools, anything they needed. Mr. Hunter went to Hoboken, New Jersey, and bought a VHF radio for $259 and they went to the Hudson County Red Cross and started setting up.

There, club members took long shifts on the air organizing the influx of food and emergency workers by communicating with workers at Ground Zero. Mr. Hunter worked 48 hours straight from the time of setting up the station.

BELLEVILLE, Illinois—In response to the Sept. 11 attack on America by terrorists, the Belleville congregation took up collections totaling $727.25 for the disaster relief fund. This was in response to the America Prays appeal to all churches, and the offering was funneled through World Vision.

"This is above and beyond our regular weekly offering to the WCG for the preaching of the gospel," reported Pastor Jim Stokes. "We are small in numbers, but big on stewardship." Average weekly attendance for the Belleville congregation is less than 50.

Jim Stokes

GLENDORA, California—The Glendora church conducted its regular Bible study the evening of the attack. The study turned into an impromptu and meaningful prayer meeting for the victims and families and the country as a whole.

"I was impressed that a couple of members prayed that the United States would not be hasty in its reaction and that more innocent blood would not be shed," said Pastor Neil Earle. "We really are a loving people."

Neil Earle

That week the worship service included an open mike prayer session in which the congregation was invited to participate. Deacon Joe Wright, originally from the Greater New York area, expressed his fears for the safety of his good friend Serge Volpe.

"He’s all right. I have it here in Mr. Tkach’s update," Mr. Earle replied as he embraced Mr. Wright.

Longtime member Lorraine Feith, an ex-New Yorker, moved the congregation to tears at the mention that her late husband once worked at the World Trade Center and the memories that Tuesday’s attack evoked in her. It was evident to the congregation that this was a truly national tragedy, from sea to sea.

LOS ANGELES, California—Members of the Los Angeles church took part in a heartfelt service of messages and Bible readings, and singing and praying for the nation and our national leaders Sept. 15.

Individual and group prayers for forgiveness, deliverance and unity of the nation were raised up to God.

Members felt the service was comforting and gave them an opportunity to draw closer to God and at the same time to express their feelings and support for the nation and the victims of the attack and their families.

The Pasadena NewLife and Los Angeles congregations, both pastored by Bermie Dizon, donated more than $1,700 to the Red Cross for relief in New York.

A number of members commented about the service:

Felix and Melba Johnson: "As members of the Los Angeles congregation, we were sobered, yet uplifted and encouraged. The presence of the Holy Spirit was felt and welcomed. The small group and individual prayers were comforting and reassuring. The Spirit of God gave us spiritual energy and refueled us as a congregation to unify and also enabled us to stand in the gap for America and the world."

Candace Best, 16, said: "Today’s service was touching and reassuring. It relieved me of my fears, reminding me that God is always with us, and who could keep from crying after Mr. Campbell began to cry? I looked around and everyone was crying or teary eyed. It was just what I needed after this week’s tragedy."

Gloria Williams said: "The prayers, readings and music were moving yet encouraging. I felta sense of unity and togetherness that I have not felt in a long time. Everyone seemed deeply touched by the events of the past week."

Vanessa Best: "Songs of praise and reassurance mixed with the spirit of unity and outgoing love filled the hall. Prayers of concern for people of all nations and the victims of this week’s tragedy made the service heartfelt and comforting." John Campbell.

DALLAS, Texas—Numerous members of the Dallas Central congregation attending the Sept. 16 service came forward to offer prayers for the United States, its leaders and the victims and families of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The prayer portion of the service lasted about an hour.

Pastor Lynn Hebert said: "We are a people of faith. We must stand in the gap for peace. This is a time to lament, cry out and pray."

Mr. Hebert said that in the midst of the tragedy "people are seeking God. God wants this to be an opportunity for the gospel."

In his Sept. 16 sermon and those of the following two services, Mr. Hebert addressed questions many people may be asking, such as where was God in the midst of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. The answer, of course, is that God was there all along and is still here to encourage us. Mr. Hebert focused on a similar theme at the monthly teen Bible study and group discussion Sept. 28.

At the Sept. 23 church service the pastor read a number of scriptures about trusting in God and seeking refuge in him.

"God is especially present when we suffer," he said. "God is offering support, comfort and strength. God alone can give meaning to mayhem. God did not save Jesus from the cross, but he saves us through the cross."

After the sermon, Bruce Hard read a prayer written by Max Lucado following the terrorist attacks. Frank Lewandowski.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001