Greetings to you in the name of Christ Jesus, our Savior.

We are part of a denomination that is special in a number of ways, but all too often a well kept secret.  One of the parts of the denomination that I am especially proud of is Week of Compassion.  Just hours after the news of the earthquake on Haiti the first monetary grant from Week of Compassion had been extended.  Information sharing and mobilization to be a part of the relief effort began shortly thereafter.  Amy Gopp, the Minister for Week of Compassion, has relationships with agencies of other denominations upon which many joint efforts are based.  We are a part of a larger church effort that expands our efforts through cooperation.

There is a difference between how Week of Compassion operates and what secular aid organizations do.  A number of the CEOs of organizations like the American Red Cross receive annual compensations in the neighborhood of $500,000 per year.  Amy’s not compensated in any manner that approaches that level.  Contributions to Week of Compassion don’t pay Amy’s salary.  The reality is that of every contribution received by Week of Compassion for relief goes 100% to direct relief.  Nothing comes out for promotion, television ads, overhead, or to pay outrageous compensations.

The financial secretary at the regional office is Melinda Floyd.  Melinda came into the office Friday with a check for $100 from a friend she had dinner with the night before.  The friend was telling her that she was going to make a contribution to the Red Cross for relief work in Haiti.  Melinda began telling her about the denomination she worked for and how 100% of Disciples contributions went to direct services.  Melinda’s friend asked if she could make a contribution the Haiti relief efforts through Week of Compassion.

It really is true that a lot about us that is a well kept secret.

Lee Parker, Regional Minister