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July 20 2007 Two Black Churches Torched in Washington County, GA; Gunshots Fired Through Third
April 15, 2007 National Coalition for Burned Churches Is Celebrating 10 Years!
March 15, 2007 National Coalition for Burned Churches Helps Mississippi Church Victimized by Multiple Arsons and Damaged From Hurricane Katrina Rebuild
January 16, 2007-National Coalition for Burned Churches Helps Rural Alabama Church Rebuild Nearly 10th Years Later
December 1, 2006-National Coalition for Burned Churches Convenes Alabama Church Burning Status Conference in Birmingham
December 1, 2006 NATIONAL CHURCH BURNING CONVENES WORKING GROUP GATHERING IN ATLANTA
October 18, 2006-NCBC Convenes National Church Burning Working Group Meeting in Alabama
July 6, 2006 National Coalition Coordinates Volunteer Teams to help Bethel AME Church-Summerville Rebuild
February 9, 2006-Pastor from Arson Selma Church holds News Conference on Alabama Church Fires Monday, February 13th, 3:30pm.
February 14, 2006-National Coalition for Burned Churches To Convene a National Press Briefing on the Status of Church Burnings in America to Help Inform the Work on Alabama Church Fires, Friday, Feb 17th, 11:00am
February 16, 2006-STAR HILL CME CHURCH CONTINUES REBUILDING EFFORTS Partners with National Coalition for Burned Churches
April 5, 2005-UNC Students Spend Spring Break Assisting Damaged Churches in West Virginia
August 7, 2003-National Coalition for Burned Churches Coordinates Volunteers To Help Burned Black Church Near Selma Rise From The Ashes: Volunteer Teams from California and Wisconsin Travel South to Help Rebuild
9/13/02—Press Conference to be Held on Church Burnings in Georgia: Special Report to be Released and Site Visits to Burned Churches Scheduled
8/30/02—The National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment Organizes Gospel Benefit Concert to Promote Church Burning Awareness in America
8/01/02—Roundtable Forum to be Held to Discuss the Burning and Bombings of America's Places of Worship as Acts of Domestic Terror: National Church Burning Registry Released
6/21/02—Pastors From Burned Churches Discuss the Burnings and Bombing on Places of Worship as Domestic Terrorism-Church Rebuilding Grants Awarded to aid in Recovery
5/10/02—Church Burning Community Forum will be Held in Chester, South Carolina to Educate the Public about Church Burning Activity and Ways to Prevent Church Arson
4/18/02—Survivors of Church Burnings Now Coordinate Volunteers to Help Burned North Carolina Church Rise From the Ashes
6/5/01—Church Burning Conference Set for Washington: Pastors from Rebuilt Burned Churches to Meet with White House Officials on the Status of Church Burnings in America.
5/18/01— NCBC Announces Church Rebuilding Grant Awards
4/24/01—National Coalition for Burned Churches in Partnership with Salem Missionary Baptist Church Host Church Rebuilding Fundraiser and Awareness Program to Help Tennessee Church Rebuild.
4/11/01—The National Coalition for Burned Churches Establishes Mississippi Branch: First Community Meeting to be Held at Mount Center Missionary Baptist Church, Raymond, Mississippi
4/05/01—National Coalition for Burned Churches Begins Fact Finding Site Visit Tour to Give Support to Eight Black Churches Burned in Georgia over the Last Twelve Months
3/16/01—National Coalition for Burned Churches Partners with United Methodist Volunteer team to Rebuild Burned Black Church-Arkansas
News Release
National Coalition for Burned Churches
For immediate Release Monday, July 20, 2007
Two Black Churches Torched in Washington County, GA; Gunshots Fired Through Third
National Coalition for Burned Churches will travel to sites Thursday, July 26, 2007 appeals for help
Sandersville, GA- Two Black churches located near Augusta were totally destroyed by fire Thursday, June 28; while someone fired a shotgun into the sanctuary of a third church home to a white congregation.
Authorities believe fires that reduced two historic landmarks—the 140-year old Holly Springs Baptist Church, and the 125-year old Mount Sinai Baptist Church to ashes occurred within 24 hours of each other. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine reported that the fires and gunshots could be related and possibly motivated by hate. At Mount Moriah Baptist Church an out door security light was reportedly shot out with a 12 gauge shot gun and gunshots were fired through the sanctuary.
Oxendine's office, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the incidents. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of individuals involved in the crimes.
On Thursday, July 26, 2007, the National Coalition will travel to Washington County as part of our church burning response program to conduct visits of the burned out sites, meet with the congregations to determine next steps and to educate the community about the importance of church arson prevention.
NCBC is asking individuals, churches, businesses and everyone to please give to support this cause. Our prayer is that we can take a Love Offering from the Charleston community and South Carolina to help both congregations RISE FROM THE ASHES.
Donations can be made payable to the:
National Coalition for Burned Churches for Georgia Church Burning Response
PO Box 40784 Charleston, SC 29423
For more information on how you can help in other ways please call the:
National Coalition for Burned Churches
Rose Johnson-Mackey 770.534.5955 Email:nationlcoalition@bellsouth.net www.ncfbc.org
News Release
For Immediate Release April 15, 2007
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
Hold the Date: December 13-15th, 200
National Coalition for Burned Churches Is Celebrating 10 Years!
This year National Coalition for Burned Churches (NCBC) is Celebrating 10 Years of dedicated commitment to church burning response and recovery.
You have received this letter as an initial invitation and formal request to serve as a participating supporter for our historic 10th Year Anniversary Banquet, Friday, December 14, 7:00pm at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta. This gala fundraising event will honor some of the nations most dedicated men and women who have made great sacrifices and tremendous contributions to this cause. The 10th Year Anniversary Activities include:
Thursday, December 13th-7pm Worship Service at historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
Friday, December 14th-9am Church Burnings in America: A National Conference
Friday,December 14th- 7pm 10th Year Anniversary Banquet, Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel
Saturday, December 15th-Church Burnings in America: A National Conference
Make plans to attend. Call the Westin Peachtree Plaza 404.659.1400 to make your hotel reservations EARLY!!! Room rates $109.
For more information contact Rose Johnson-Mackey 770.534.5955 or 770.534.5955.
News Release
For Immediate Release March 15, 2007
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
National Coalition for Burned Churches Helps Mississippi Church Victimized by Multiple Arsons and Damaged From Hurricane Katrina Rebuild
Ruth-The National Coalition for Burned Churches is coordinating volunteers to help the Spring Beulah Church of Christ Holiness USA to rebuild. The church located on D.P. Guy Road in Ruth, Mississippi has had three suspicious fires in the last three years and was damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Each year the National Coalition identifies four churches to help with rebuilding. Spring Beulah is one of those churches. Volunteer teams will come from Tennessee, Illinois and California to assist in the rebuilding efforts. The teams include:
- June 2007 Salem Baptist Church Mission in Motion, Humboldt, Tennessee
- July 2007 St. Isidore Catholic Church, Bloomingdale, Illinois
- July-August 2007 California Arson Rebuild Teams, Santa Barbara, California
The only requirement for the church is to provide one meal a day and to assist teams in finding suitable housing. Each team stays at least 5-7 days.
According to Rev. Daniel Donaldson, NCBC church rebuilding project coordinator who also heads the Mission in Motion team from Salem Baptist Church, “We went through what they are going through in 1995. We now what its like and we understand the challenges they will face. Our mission team was put in place so that we can help somebody else the same way that so many people reached out to help us” ###
News Release
For Immediate Release January 16, 2007
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
National Coalition for Burned Churches Helps Rural Alabama Church Rebuild Nearly 10th Years Later
Little River, Alabama-The National Coalition for Burned Churches is coordinating volunteers to help the St. Joe Baptist Church in Little River, Alabama rebuild.
Greater St. Joseph Baptist Church, Little River, Alabama (Baldwin County-Southern District) was totally destroyed by two white males and one white female on June 30, 1997. . There was also an attempted arson at nearby Tate Chapel AME Zion church. The defendants attended a Ku Klux Klan rally two days before the fire and a racial slur was used during the arson. The case was prosecuted by the Department of Justice on various charges including conspiracy to commit arson and civil rights violations.
Four volunteer teams will be partnering with St. Joe to assist in rebuilding. The volunteer teams include:
- Feb 2007 Millbury Federated Churches, Massachusetts
- March 2007 Harvard Alternative Spring Break Students, Massachusetts
- March 2007 UNC Chapel Hill Students, North Carolina
- April 2007 First Congregational Church, Vermont
The only requirement for the church is to provide one meal a day and to assist teams in finding suitable housing. Each team stays at least 5-7 days.
###
News Release
For Immediate Release December 1, 2006
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955 or email nationlcoalition@bellsouth.net
National Coalition for Burned Churches Convenes Alabama Church Burning Status Conference in Birmingham
Birmingham, AL-On December 7th, 2006, the National Coalition for Burned Churches will convene an Alabama Church Burning Status Conference in partnership with the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. The conference will be held at Birmingham Southern University, 900 Arkadelphia Rd in Birmingham from 9:00am-3: 30 pm.
The purpose of the conference is to increase public awareness about the issue of church burnings in Alabama help prevent congregations from feeling isolated and alone when their places of worship burn. Since the beginning of this decade, fifty-seven churches have burned throughout Alabama. Forty-two of these incidents have been ruled arson, undetermined or suspicious fires.
During the conference NCBC will do a Roll Call of all forty-two churches. Each church is asked to provide an update on your recovery efforts in six areas: Impact of the trauma on the pastor and congregation; investigation, arrest and prosecution; community response and unity; rebuilding and recovery; Identify any existing needs; and lessons learn and/or words of encouragement to share with other congregations.
Then, on December 8-9th, you are invited to join members of burned churches nationally at the First Dancy Baptist Church in Aliceville, Alabama to hear about the experiences of other congregations.
News Release
For immediate Release December 1, 2006
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955 or email nationlcoalition@bellsouth.net
NATIONAL CHURCH BURNING CONVENES WORKING GROUP GATHERING IN ATLANTA
Atlanta, GA-On December 9-10, 2005, the National Coalition for Burned Churches will convene a gathering of the National Church Burning Working Group (NCBWG). The meeting will be held at Wellesley Inn & Suites, Atlanta Airport, 1377 Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, GA.
The gathering starts on Friday evening 7:00pm with a Storytelling Circle that gives congregations who are trying to recover, as well as those who have recovered from the church burning experience an opportunity to provide updates, share their stories and talk about existing needs. The circle also gives Working Group members the space to offer reflections from their committee work this year.
On Saturday, Dec 10th at 9:00am, the group convenes with NCBC reporting on church burning and bombing activity nationally and churches in need of assistance with rebuilding. There will also be committee reports and break out sessions for committees to develop plans for the coming year, including rebuilding planning with individual church representatives. The gathering ends 2:30pm Saturday. All meals are on your own.
###
News Release
For Immediate Release October 18, 2006
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
NCBC Convenes National Church Burning Working Group Meeting in Alabama
Aliceville, Alabama-On December 8-9, 2006, the National Coalition will convene a gathering of the National Church Burning Working Group (NCBWG). The Working Group is a coalition-building project established by the National Coalition in 2000 to help protect the right of congregations to worship in peace---free from the threat of arson, bombings and vandalism by providing victim support and assistance with church rebuilding.
The gathering will be held at the First Dancy Baptist Church, Aliceville, Alabama where the Reverend Walter Hawkins is pastor. First Dancy is one of nine Alabama churches torched by youth arsonist in February of this year. The church has been restored through the generosity of so many acts of love and kindness, and is now reaching out to assist other congregations in need. The gathering will begin at 6:00pm on Friday and end on Saturday by noon.
Since the beginning of this decade, fifty-seven churches have burned throughout Alabama. Forty-two of these incidents have been ruled arson, undetermined or suspicious fires. . Our commitment is to make sure that the voices of congregations victimized by arson are heard, their stories are told and that their needs are not forgotten.
###
News Release
For immediate Release July 6, 2006
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
National Coalition Coordin Volunteer Teams to help Bethel AME Church-Summerville Rebuild
Summerville, SC- The National Coalition for Burned Churches has coordinated interfaith teams of Christians and Jews to assist Bethel AME Church in Summerville in its rebuilding efforts. The volunteers who are part of the California Arson Rebuild Teams are made up of teams from the Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and other faiths in and around Santa Barbara, California. The California teams have been rebuilding burned churches, since 1996 and have been working in partnership with the National Coalition since 2000. Three teams of skilled volunteers will be assisting Bethel in rebuilding through the month of August.
TEAM I - JULY 29-AUGUST 5 -
TEAM II - AUGUST 5-AUGUST 12 -.
TEAM III - AUGUST 12-AUGUST 19 –
According to Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr., president and executive director, “The Coalition has been providing technical support with rebuilding to Bethel since December 2005. The volunteers who come to assist in rebuilding do the work as a labor of love to help congregations heal and recover. They cover their own expenses, bring funds to help with rebuilding, are exceptional in spirit and deeply committed to mission. They are truly one of the blessings to congregations trying to restore what they have lost.” Bethel was destroyed by fire in April 2005. The former pastor and his wife were charged in connection with the fire. ###
News Release
For immediate Release February 14, 2006
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
National Coalition for Burned Churches To Convene a National Press Briefing on the Status of Church Burnings in America to Help Inform the Work on Alabama Church Fires, Friday, Feb 17th, 11:00am
Atlanta, GA- On Friday, February 17, 2006, 11:00am, the National Coalition for Burned Churches, in partnership with the Center for Democratic Renewal and other friends and allies will convene a national press briefing on the status of church burnings in America. The purpose of the briefing is to: examine the phenomenon of cluster church burnings, assess the federal and state governments response to these incidents and to raise neglected critical issues related to church arson today. The press briefing will be held at the Atlanta Life Building, Auburn Avenue.
The National Coalition was established in 1997, as a faith based response to the 1996 church-burning crisis, by a group of mostly rural, southern, African American victims and survivors. Our mission is to work to protect the right of congregations to worship in peace; free from the threat of terror created by acts of arson, bombings and vandalism. President Bill Clinton declared the issue of church arson a national law enforcement priority dedicating the nation’s resources to the investigation and prosecution of churches destroyed by racially motivated acts of violence and religious intolerance. The National Coalition’s church burning response program provides technical assistance and support by conducting on site training from our easy to use on-line quick reference pamphlet called “What To Do When Your Church Burns: A Quick Reference Guide to Healing, Rebuilding and Recovery”. Each year NCBC works to assist at least four churches with rebuilding. ###
News Release
For immediate Release February 9, 2006
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey
770.534.5955
Pastor from Arson Selma Church holds News Conference on Alabama Church Fires Monday, February 13th, 3:30pm.
Selma, AL- On Monday, February 13, 2006, 3:30pm, Rev. Timothy Stromas, pastor of the New Sandridge Baptist Church will hold a news conference at the church located on Kings Bend Road. Stromas is Alabama coordinator for the National Coalition for Burned Churches, and the New Sandridge is a member. Rev. Stromas has issued a Fire Alert for congregations in the West Alabama area. The purpose of this news conference is to get the word out about the alert, share the experience of recovery from a church arson experience, and to talk about ways that local communities can do more to help.
Sandridge was destroyed by arson in 2004 and was rebuilt one year later with support and assistance from the National Coalition for Burned Churches through the kindness and generosity of volunteers from across the nation.
According to Rose Johnson-Mackey, NCBC program director, “The pastor and members of Sand ridge have risen from the ashes against incredible odds. They are now reaching out to help others who are experiencing the same challenges they once faced. Congregations who have not been targeted and harmed by arsonist should listen and take advantage of the value of this experience, especially since rising up from the ashes is not an easy thing to do.”
The National Coalition was established in 1997 as a faith-based response to the 1996 church-burning crisis. ###
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release February 16, 2006
CONTACTS:
Edna R. Moore
985-651-8276 or 917-817-7074 (cell)
Dr. Frances Washington
601-736-6464
STAR HILL CME CHURCH CONTINUES REBUILDING EFFORTS
Partners with National Coalition for Burned Churches
GLOSTER, MS, February 15, 2006 – Star Hill CME Church, which was destroyed by fire in February of 2003, will resume work on rebuilding the church, as it partners with the National Coalition for Burned Churches in its reconstruction efforts. Incorporated in 1876 and rebuilt in 1943, Star Hill was one of the oldest churches in Gloster, Mississippi.
Founded in 1997, The National Coalition for Burned Churches, through its Church Rebuilding and Volunteer Coordination Committee, will provide four teams of volunteers over the next six months to provide technical support and assistance to Star Hill (www.starhillcmechurch.org).
“We are so blessed that the National Coalition for Burned Churches chose Star Hill as one of the churches it will help to rebuild this year,” said Rev. Sonnie Washington, pastor of Star Hill CME Church. “We prayed that our church would be rebuilt, and God has answered our prayers through this wonderful Christian partnership.”
The first team of 25-30 volunteers from Millbury Federated Church in Millbury, Massachusetts, will be in Gloster from February 20-24 to team with church members to install the inside framing of Star Hill. Volunteers will work from 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m. daily. “Volunteering to assist burned churches is not just another community service, said Rev. Cliff Davis, pastor of Millbury Federated Church. “It is an opportunity for Christians to work together in an unselfish way to raise God’s house from the ashes, and we are so happy to lend our support to the members of Star Hill to help them restore their place of worship.”
On Wednesday, February 22, at 6:30p.m., Star Hill CME Church will hold a Prayer Meeting at Sharon Chapel CME Church in Gloster, where it will fellowship with Millbury Federated Church members. The Greater Gloster community at large is invited to come out and worship and support this Godly mission. Local community volunteers are urged to lend support also. In addition, Star Hill welcomes donations of church materials, including pews, pulpit furniture and other items. Local electricians and plumbers are also needed. For further information, please contact Brother Enos Moore at 601-657-4906. ###
NEWS RELEASE
Jenny Huq, Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APPLES Service-Learning Program
April 5, 2005 (919) 962-0902
huq@email.unc.edu
UNC Students Spend Spring Break Assisting Damaged Churches in West Virginia
WHEELING, W. Va. - Not all students rush off to sandy, sun-drenched locales over spring break. Students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - fourteen undergraduate and ten graduate students from the medical school - participated in an alternative spring break (ASB) project, helping to restore two African-American churches that were damaged by flooding and arson in West Virginia.
Sponsored by APPLES, the university’s student-run service-learning program, this year’s inaugural civil rights-themed project was one of several alternatives for students who wanted to devote their spring break to public service and social justice.
The ASB church rebuilding trip was led by Erin Davis ’05, Laurel Walmsley ’06, Avik Chatterjee, a first-year medical student, and Timothy Patrick McCarthy, a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of the American South.
The UNC-CH team divided its time between two churches: the Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church in Wheeling, W. Va., and the Shiloh Apostolic Faith Church, in Weirton, W. Va. Bethlehem Temple—an interracial, predominantly African-American congregation—was the target of a suspicious fire in 1998, during which property that had been recently purchased to build a youth center was burned to the ground in what appears to be a racially motivated hate crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation ruled the fire arson.
In addition to the arson, Bethlehem Temple suffered further damage last fall when the Ohio River flooded during Hurricane Ivan’s swing through the region. Like much of the surrounding area, Shiloh Church was also damaged in the flood.
During the first half of the week, the UNC-CH students helped restore Shiloh’s basement fellowship hall, repairing flood-damaged areas, painting the walls and sanding and refinishing the floor. From Wednesday to Friday, they returned to Bethlehem Temple to begin work on the building for the new community center.
In addition to the church rebuilding work that occupied much of their time, the students took part in a variety of other service and civic initiatives - speaking at a local Rotary Club, reading to elementary school children, tutoring at the Laughlin Chapel after-school program and sitting for interviews with local newspapers and television stations.
“This was a stunning group of young people,” McCarthy said, “so rich in terms of their backgrounds and experiences and in what they had and were willing to offer each other and the community of folks we were working with.”
They were, as Rev. Darrell Cummings of Bethlehem Temple, put it, “ambassadors of hard work and good will.” On Wednesday, after evening worship services, the medical students offered a free health clinic, complete with blood pressure testing and counseling to help prevent heart disease, diabetes and other afflictions. “Some people say there is going to be a problem with the youth of today, with Generation X, as it’s called,” Cummings said. “But if these students are a picture of the future, we’ll be all right.”
McCarthy has led trips like this for nearly a decade - first at Columbia University, where he did his doctoral work, and then at Harvard University, where he has taught in the Department of History and Literature since 1998. Chatterjee, a native of Cary, accompanied McCarthy on two other ASB church rebuilding trips while he was an undergraduate at Harvard. Those experiences had such a profound impact on Chatterjee that he decided to coordinate a similar service project for his medical school peers once he got to UNC-CH. When Chatterjee found out that McCarthy was coordinating a trip for undergraduates, the two decided to join forces. “It was a natural fit,” said McCarthy, “and of course I was delighted to team up again with Avik. We’ve done this work before in Georgia and North Carolina, and I have great admiration for his spirit and dedication to service.”
According to the National Coalition for Burned Churches, since 1990, there have been more than 500 African-American churches damaged or completely destroyed by fire. Several hundred churches with “mixed” congregations have also been affected. With haunting echoes of the Jim Crow and civil rights eras, the overwhelming majority of these burnings - many of which have been ruled as arson - have occurred in the South.
APPLES is a student-led program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill engaging students, faculty and community agencies in service-learning partnerships. Our goal is to foster socially aware and civically involved students through participation in an enriched curriculum and hands-on experiences that address the needs of North Carolina communities.
News Release
Release Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2003
Contact: Rose Johnson-Mackey NCBC Program Director 843.853.5363
Rev. Timothy Stromas Pastor, Sandridge Baptist Church 334.850.3645
National Coalition for Burned Churches Coordinates Volunteers To Help Burned Black Church Near Selma Rise From The Ashes: Volunteer Teams from California and Wisconsin Travel South to Help Rebuild
Dallas County, Alabama-- In October 2002, the Sandridge Baptist Church located on Kings Bend Road in Dallas County, Alabama was burned to the ground. State fire officials ruled the fire at this 75 year-old church as arson. Ten months later, the congregation of about 40 members is rebuilding with support from the National Coalition for Burned Churches (National Coalition) based in Charleston, South Carolina. Earlier in the year, the National Coalition was successful in recruiting volunteer teams to assist Sandridge. Four interfaith teams from the California Arson Rebuild Teams based in Santa Barbara, California will travel to Dallas County to committ one month to help Sandridge rise from the ashes.
The teams are coordinated by the Rev. Lloyd Saatjian, pastor First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara and include three groups of skilled volunteers and one youth group. Volunteers from the the Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church, Congregation Bi’nai Brith, the Union of Hebrew Congregations and other faiths from the Santa Barbara area will dedicate (1 week per team) to the rebuilding project. The California Arson Rebuild Teams have assisted rebuilding burned Black churches throughout the South since 1996. They have also committed $20,000 to aid in the rebuilding efforts. The first team arrived this past weekend and are already onsite where construction of the new church building has begun. In September, the First United Methodist Church of Appleton, Wisconsin will also travel south to pitch in. Their pastor, Rev. Jane Voight, heads the team. ###
News Release
For Immediate Release: For more information please contact:
Friday, September 13, 2002 Mrs. Rose Johnson-Mackey 843-853-5363
Press Conference to be Held on Church Burnings in Georgia: Special Report to be Released and Site Visits to Burned Churches Scheduled
Atlanta, GA- On Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 10:30 a.m., the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (NCBC) will hold a press conference to update the press and public about church burnings in Georgia. During the press conference NCBC will release a special report titled Georgia Church Burning Response. The report focuses on Georgia’s on going problem with church burnings and provides case examples of churches struggling to recover. The group will also spend the week traveling throughout the state conducting field visits at burned churches sites. The press conference will be held at the Center for Democratic Renewal (CDR) 175 Trinity Street, Atlanta, Georgia.
According to NCBC data, Georgia ranks third among ten states reporting the highest number of incidents from 1999-2001. Those states are: Texas (125); Florida (52); Georgia (38); South Carolina (36); California (33); Mississippi (32); Louisiana (24); North Carolina (23); Illinois and Ohio (21). The Office of the State Insurance Commissioner also reports at least seven incidents of arson and undetermined cases in 2002.
Established in October 1997, the National Coalition is a non-profit multiracial, interdenominational coalition of victims/survivors whose places of worship have been burned or firebombed. According to Rev. Terrance G. Mackey Sr., President and executive director, " With every opportunity we will encourage the public to engage in dialogue about church burnings in this state and nationally. We must also become more involved in helping burned churches rebuild. As a nation of people of good will, with new energy and new determination… we must send a clear message to the purveyors of hate who seek to destroy our centers of peace, hope and sanctuary, that in the United States of America it is not acceptable to terrorize communities or desecrate our places of worship."
###
News Release
For Immediate Release: For more immediate contact:
Friday, August 30, 2002 Ms. Maxine Brown or Mrs. Mary Brown at 843-853-5363
The National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment Organizes Gospel Benefit Concert to Promote Church Burning Awareness in America
On Friday, August 30, 2002 the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment will host the Rise from the Ashes gospel benefit concert at Nichols Chapel AME Church, 57 Kennedy Street, Charleston SC.
During the concert NCBC will raise the awareness that "As we enter the 21st century, churches continue to burn across the country at a minimal rate of 15-20 per month. As a nation of people of good will, we must redirect our focus on this issue with a new sense of urgency. With new energy and new determination...we must send a clear message to the purveyors of hate who seek to destroy our center of peace, hope, and sanctuary, that in the United States of America it is not acceptable to terrorize communities by burning and firebombing places of worship.
All tax deductible contributions will help sustain programs in rebuilding and recovery; community organizing and leadership development; education and awareness; site visits; legal assistance and referrals; research and analysis; resource development and technical support; training and leadership development; victim assistance; and youth development.
News Release
For Immediate Release: For more information please contact:
Thursday, August 1, 2002 Shantae Crawford 843-853-5363
Roundtable Forum to be Held to Discuss the Burning and Bombings of America's Places of Worship as Acts of Domestic Terror: National Church Burning Registry Released-Charleston
On Thursday, August 8 at 10 a.m. the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (NCBC) will hold a Roundtable Discussion on the Burnings and Bombings of America's Places of Worship. The forum will be held at the Charleston County Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Meeting Room B. The purpose of this historic gathering is to discuss the burnings and bombings of places of worship as acts of domestic terror and to develop effective public policy strategies to address this on going state and national problem. Several local, state and federal officials are being invited to attend to participate in the discussion.
During the forum NCBC will release The Burnings and Bombings of America's Places of Worship: A National Registry. The registry was created to keep an accurate and up to date record of church arsons, bombings, attempted arsons, and suspicious or undetermined fires nationwide.
The outcome of these discussions will lead to the creation of a community based Church Burning Domestic Terrorism Task Force. The responsibility of the Task Force will be to study the problem, respond to the concerns of victims and make recommendations to President Bush, as well as other elected officials about ways to prevent future attacks against congregations.
In 1998, NCBC established the Church Burning Research Center to serve as a clearinghouse for the collection, documentation and analysis of church burning activity nationwide. Today, NCBC continues to conduct field investigations of burned churches, monitor activity state-to-state and examine emerging and existing trends. Our objective is to publish a timely, up to date and accurate registry of arsons, bombings, attempted arsons and suspicious or undetermined incidents in three year time spans, and make that information more accessible to the public.
The Burnings and Bombings of America's Places of Worship: A National Registry is published annually by NCBC as one method of documenting activity. Information contained in this registry is analyzed by month, year, state and race. Numbers are based only on available data reflecting less than 20% of church burning and bombing activity nationwide, due to the underreporting of data by local fire departments. The results are as follows.
The NCBC Church Burning Research Center data show that Arsons, Bombings, Attempted Arsons, Suspicious or Undetermined Fires by month continue nationwide at a rate of 40-80 per month. The months of: March (80); February and June (61); January, and July (60) reflect the highest numbers during this reporting period.
Over the three-year period 1999-2001, the NCBC Church Burning Research Center has documented approximately 685 Arsons, Bombings, Attempted Arsons, Suspicious or Undetermined Fires. Of that number there were 452 arsons, 36 bombings, and 51 incidents where there were attempts to commit arson that were unsuccessful. During this same period 146 fires were ruled suspicious or undetermined with no further action taken by law enforcement agencies to pursue investigative leads. The total number of incidents by year in all categories (arson, bombing, attempted arson, and suspicious or undetermined fires) are 1999 (254); 2000 (220); 2001 (211).
The burnings and bombings of America's places of worship is highly concentrated in the south and southwest. The next significant geographic concentration of activity is in several mid western states, California and New York. States reporting the highest incidents of bombing activity are Florida, Nevada, Texas, and California. The state of Texas currently leads the nation in church burning activity, for this 36-month reporting period, the NCBC church burning research center has documented more than 125 cases of arson, attempted arson and suspicious or undetermined fires in Texas. The top ten states reporting the highest number of incidents during this reporting period are: Texas (120); Florida (52); Georgia (38); South Carolina (36); California (33); Mississippi (32); Louisiana (24); North Carolina (23); Illinois and Ohio (21).
The NCBC church burning research center documents and monitors incidents at places of worship of different racial groups nationwide. Racial/ethnic/national origin congregations, including but not limited to African American (167), Caucasian (303), Multiracial (62), Hispanic (22), Muslim (9), and Jewish (24), have been impacted across the country.
Through our research, NCBC has discovered that many burnings and bombings are most likely to occur on or around holidays and other significant dates. NCBC is issuing a church burning alert to congregations nationally to increase security measures around places of worship in advance of and during the July 4th holiday. Churches at risk of becoming targets of arson are those that maybe located in rural isolated areas, those who do not have adequate lighting or security systems or have experienced repeated acts of vandalism.
Established in October 1997, the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (NCBC) is a non-profit multiracial, interdenominational coalition of victims/survivors whose places of worship have been burned or firebombed. Our Mission is to help heal communities by providing technical assistance to burned church victims and to contribute support and information to churches, as well as children, youth and families in communities where churches are at risk of being burned for reasons motivated by racial or religious hatred. The National Coalition seeks to accomplish its mission by addressing the root causes of these acts of violence through programs in church rebuilding and volunteer coordination, public education, training, youth leadership development, research, public policy and advocacy. ###
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: For more immediate contact:
Friday, June 21, 2002 Ms. Shantae Crawford: 843.853.5363
Pastors From Burned Churches Discuss the Burning and Bombing on Places of Worship as Domestic Terrorism -Church Rebuilding Grants Awarded To Aid in Recovery
Atlanta, GA- On June 21, 2002, the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community and Empowerment (NCBC) sponsored a forum and photo exhibit entitled Domestic Terrorism: The Burning and Bombing of America’s Places of Worship. The day-long event was held at the Atlanta University Center, Robert Woodruff Library- Virginia Lacy Exhibition Hall, 111 James P. Brawley Drive. The purpose of this historic gathering was to discuss the burnings and bombings of places of worship as acts of domestic terror and to develop effective public policy strategies to address this on going national problem.
During the first session the delegation of pastors and members of burned churches from the states of GA, KS, LA, NC, TX participated in a roundtable discussion sharing incredible stories of how they survived these destructive acts of terror. NCBC data show that nearly 700 places of worship have been burned or firebombed in the United States over the three year period from1999-2001: 1999(254); 2000(220); and2001(211). Of the total number there were: 452 arsons, 36 bombings and 51 cases where there were attempts to commit arson that were unsuccessful. During this same period, 146 fires were ruled suspicious or undetermined. Forty of churches have been burned or firebombed in the state of Georgia within this time frame alone.
The roundtable discussion focused on cases such as historic Mount Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church, Macon, Georgia. This 134-year-old church family was victimized by arson for the second time in 2-1/2 years. On March 14, 2001, the Society Hall where the congregation was worshipping after the church fire was also torched and gravesites in the church cemetery desecrated. The case is still under investigation. In addition to Mount Hope, a series of other places of worship have been torched in the Macon area.
During the second session presentations on church burnings as a man made disaster were made by Stan Hankins, director of Disaster Services for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Gerald Collins, director of Disaster Services for Catholic Charities, USA. Both presenters encouraged attendees to participate in disaster training and to become more involved in disaster preparedness in their local communities.
Church rebuilding grants were also awarded to churches struggling to rebuild and recover. Nine African American churches received grant awards: Roberson Grove Baptist Church, Waynesboro, GA $10,000; Full Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Hinesville, GA $10,000; St. Paul Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA $5,000; St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Salina, KS $10,000; Believers Miracle Temple, Uttica, NY $5,000; First Baptist Church of Soul City, Soul City, NC $10,000; True Holiness Church of Jesus Christ, Darlington, SC $1500; Greater Gospel Truth Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN $7500 and the Olive Branch Church at Wood Forrest, Houston, TX $10,000. The grant awards were made possible through funding support from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
According to Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr., NCBC president, and executive director, “It is very important that we continue to discuss these incidents as acts of domestic terror. Who better to help the public understand the magnitude of this problem than those of us who know and have stories to tell. The impact of this trauma beyond the burning of the physical building must be fully exposed. Otherwise, we will continue to be violated by terrorists who are punished only as criminals who burn down buildings.”
In June 1995, members of the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan torched Mount Zion AME Church, Greeleyville, SC where Rev. Mackey served as pastor. The Department of Justice successfully prosecuted the case. In 1996, then President Bill Clinton declared the issue of church arson a national law enforcement priority dedicating the nation’s resources to the investigation and prosecution of churches destroyed by racially motivated acts of violence and religious intolerance. The National Coalition for Burned Churches was established shortly afterwards in October 1997, by mostly rural and southern African American victims/survivors as a faith based response to the church-burning crisis to carry on the work of this important ministry.
The forum and photo exhibit was hosted by the Brisbane Institute Center for the Studies in Applied Politics at Morehouse College. The afternoon session was led by Dr. Hasan Crocket, director of the Institute to focus specifically on developing local, state and regional public policy strategies to encourage community problem solving on the local level. The outcome of these discussions has lead to the creation of a Church Burning Domestic Terrorism Task Force which will develop a plan of action to examine the issue in greater detail.
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News Release
For Immediate Release: For more information contact:
Friday, May 10, 2002 City Councilman, Rev. George Guy, Jr. 803.385.3271 or Shantae Crawford 843.853.5363
Church Burning Community Forum Will Be Held In Chester, South Carolina To Educate The Public About Church Burning Activity And Ways To Prevent Church Arson
The National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (National Coalition or NCBC) will hold a Church Burning Community Forum Thursday, May 16, 6:00pm, at the Chester War Memorial Building, Main Street in Chester. The forum is sponsored by Chester City officials as a public service to the city of Chester and surrounding areas.
During the forum NCBC will update the community on church burnings statewide and discuss ways to prevent churches from burning. The community forum was prompted by concerns from church leaders as well as county and city officials after Antioch Baptist Church burned in Chester on March 2, 2002.
According to Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, NCBC president and executive director, “We simply should not allow these incidents to continue throughout the state without lifting our voices in outrage. At some point those who continue to burn down houses of worship and terrorize communities must get the message that places of worship are off limits and will not be the target of attack.“
NCBC is a civil and human rights organization established in October of 1997 in response to the 1996 church-burning crisis. Our mission is to heal communities by providing technical assistance to burned church victims and to churches at risk of being burned for reasons motivated by racial or religious hatred. We are a multiracial, interdenominational, coalition of clergy and laity whose places of worship have been burned or firebombed. Today we are committed to reaching out to help others who are experiencing the same tragic events that we are recovering from.
News Release
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 18, 2002 `` For more immediate contact:
Shantae Crawford, Program Coordinator
``````````````````````` 843-853-5363-NCBC National Office
Survivors of Church Burnings Now Coordinate Volunteers to Help Burned North Carolina Church Rise From the Ashes.
The National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (National Coalition or NCBC), is a multiracial, interdenominational, coalition of clergy and laity whose places of worship have been burned or firebombed. The National Coalition was established in October of 1997, our mission is to heal communities by providing technical assistance to burned church victims and to contribute support and information to churches, as well as children, youth and families in communities where churches are at risk of being burned for reasons motivated by racial or religious hatred. The national coalition seeks to accomplish its mission by addressing the root causes of these acts of violence through programs in public education, training, youth leadership development, research, public policy and advocacy.
Today NCBC is coordinating volunteers from across the country to help rebuild the Antioch United Holy Church in Burgaw, North Carolina. Antioch was set ablaze on January 18, 1998, just 3 days after the Martin Luther King Holiday. This small African American church with approximately 30 members was established in 1990.
“Volunteer teams from the states of New Jersey, Massachusetts, Colorado, Illinois, and Vermont are spending their spring breaks and summer vacations donating their time, talent, and money to help Antioch recover. The Teams Include: The Dream Team [IL], Warsaw District United Methodist Church [IN], Harvard Alternative Spring Break (Phillips Brooks House) [MA], Norwich Congregational Church [VT], and the United Church of Christ Interfaith Rebuilding Team [NJ].
NCBC would like to encourage any churches, businesses, or community groups interested in volunteering to help a burned church recover and rebuild to contact Mrs. Shantae Crawford at our National Office in Charleston, SC @ 843.853.5363.
News Release
For Immediate Release: For more information contact:
Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Ms. Shantae Crawford
Press Coordinator 843.853.5363
Church Burning Conference Set For Washington: Pastors from Rebuilt Burned Churches to Meet with White House Officials on the Status of Church Burnings in America.
Washington, D.C.- On June 13-16, 2001, the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (NCBC) will convene a National Church Burning Status Conference in Washington, DC. The theme for the conference is Church Burning HATE CRIME Continues: The Untold Story. The purpose of this historic gathering is to meet with representatives of the Bush Administration and congressional leaders to discuss a new public policy agenda for church burning hate crimes. We will also appeal to the American public for sustained financial support, volunteer help and technical assistance to help rebuild burned churches.
The conference will begin Wednesday, June 13th, when a delegation of pastors and members of burned churches from the states of TX, SC, NC, GA, TN, MS, MO, CT, KY, AR, FL and NJ arrive in the nation’s capital. During the first meeting, scheduled for 1:00pm, victims of church arson will meet with members of the White House Office of Faith and Community Initiatives for a victim’s perspective briefing.
Immediately following the White House staff briefing, the delegation will meet with Deputy United States Attorney General Larry Thompson and representatives of the National Church Arson Task Force, at the Department of Justice Building, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue.
On Thursday, June 14th, 9:00am, the conference continues at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), 100 Raoul Wallenburg Place SW, with a focus on the Museum’s Lift Every Voice Program established to provide support to Black churches destroyed by arson during the 1996 church burning crisis. This session will also include a tour of the Museum.
In the afternoon, events continue at 1:00pm, at the National Press Club, 14th and F Streets, NW with a press conference and National Town Meeting on the Status of Church Burnings in America. Representatives from federal and state law enforcement agencies, civil, human rights and religious organizations will serve as panelists to receive public concerns about this issue.
Joining the National Coalition for Burned Churches as partners in this initiative are the: United States Memorial Holocaust Museum Community Partners Program; General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church Ministries in the Midst of Hate and Violence; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Catholic Charities Disaster Assistance; United Methodist Church Volunteers in Mission; United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice; Project Change-El Paso; Center for Constitutional Rights, Fisk University Race Relations Institute; Southern Partners Fund and the Sapelo Foundation.
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For more information contact:
Date of issue: May 18, 2001 Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr.
National Office-Charleston, SC PH: 843.853.5363
National Coalition for Burned Churches Announces Church Rebuilding Grant Awards
Atlanta, GA- The National Coalition for Burned Churches (National Coalition or NCBC) recently awarded grants to three burned churches in Louisiana, Texas and Iowa. The three churches are Union Missionary Baptist Church, Monroe, Louisiana $10,000; Apostolic Faith Temple, Dubuque, Iowa $8,000 and Ridgemont Baptist Church, Abeliene, Texas $3,000.
Union Missionary Baptist Church ,a century old African American church was completely destroyed by arson July 28, 1999. Apostolic Faith Temple, which housed a small multi-racial congregation had only been in existence three years when it was destroyed by fire on July 7th, 2000. Ridgemont Baptist Church, home to a Caucasian congregation was burned under suspicious circumstances on July 10, 1999.
Established in October 1997, the National Coalition for Burned Churches and Community Empowerment (National Coalition or NCBC) is a multiracial, inter-denominational coalition of pastors and church members whose places of worship have been burned or firebombed. The organizations mission is to help heal burned church communities by providing advocacy support and technical assistance to children, youth and families in areas where churches are proven or suspected of being burned with hate as a motivating factors.
In February 2000, the National Coalition established the Church Burning Rebuilding Working Group, as a national collaboration designed to strengthen existing efforts to continue the work of rebuilding burned churches. The Working Group is composed of a multi-racial, interfaith coalition of representatives from denominational and ecumenical bodies, the business and corporate communities, governmental agencies and pastors from burned churches. Joining the National Coalition as partners in this initiative are: Presbyterian Disasters Assistance; United Methodist Church Ministries in the Midst of Hate; United Methodist Church Volunteers in Mission; Unitarian Universalist Service Committee; Catholic Charities, USA; and JOY COMM, Inc.
Through the efforts of the Church Burning Rebuilding Working Group the National Coalition will work aggressively to raise funds to assist in the rebuilding of twenty-five burned churches annually. The twenty five places of worship targeted for assistance this year are located in the states of: Alabama (1); Arkansas (1); California (1); Georgia (4); Illinois (1); Iowa (1); Kansas (1); Louisiana (1); Mississippi (1); North Carolina (2); New York (1); South Carolina (2); Tennessee (2); and Texas (6).
News Release
For Immediate Release: For more information contact:
Tuesday, April 24, 2001 Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr.
NCBC National Office 843.821-9590
Rev. Daniel Donaldson
Tennessee Branch Coordinator-901-587-6118
National Coalition for Burned Churches In Partnership With Salem Missionary Baptist Church Host Church Rebuilding Fundraiser and Awareness Program To Help Tennessee Church Rebuild.
Tennessee-On Thursday, April 29, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. the National Coalition for Burned Churches (NCBC) in partnership with Salem Missionary Baptist Church will convene a Burned Churches Rebuilding and Awareness Program. The program will be hosted by Rev. Daniel Donaldson, Salem’s pastor and NCBC 2nd Vice President and Tennessee Coalition Coordinator. Salem Missionary Baptist Church is located at 202 Leslie Scruggs Road, Fruitland, Tennessee.
The purpose for the program is to raise awareness to the public of the fact that churches are still being burned, to give help and support to the church burning victims and their families; and to talk about ways that local communities can do more to help other churches rise from the ashes.
The National Coalition was established in 1997, by a group of mostly rural, southern, African American church leaders and members (victims of church arson), as a faith based response to the 1996 church-burning crisis. The organizations mission is to help heal burned church communities by providing advocacy, support, and technical assistance to children, youth and families in areas where churches are proven or suspected of being burned with racial hatred or anti-religious bias as motivating factors.
According to Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, NCBC president and executive director,
“Looking back on our own experiences, we are reminded that the physical trauma that comes with the burning of holy places is a heavy burden to bare. Those of us who are survivors of this great tragedy are reaching out to embrace pastors who are now facing the same challenges that we once faced. We must also call upon local churches, governmental agencies and the business community to do more to help. No time must be wasted in helping today’s victims of church arson heal and recover; that’s why programs such as the Burned Churches Rebuilding and Awareness Program are so important.”
On December 30th 1996 an arsonist set fire to Salem Missionary Baptist Church and there was a total loss of everything, including church records. Salem Missionary Baptist Church family celebrated their dedication services on Sunday, January 19, 1997. Rev. Donaldson adds, “One of the major problems that we face today is the feeling that members of the media are no longer publicizing a very pressing issue--burned churches.” Therefore it is our godly duty to help keep this issue alive and to help others become aware of the fact that churches are still burning. As recent as two months ago, one of our neighboring churches, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Hickory Valley, Tennessee, was burned to ashes due to arson. We will do everything possible to help them recover.”
The public is invited to attend this program to help the pastor and members of New Hope recover from their loss and to help NCBC educate the community on this very serious problem. News Release
For Immediate Release: For more immediate contact:
Wednesday, April 11, 2001 Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr.
National Office 843-853-5363
Mr.. Robert Bell-Mississippi
Branch Coordinator-601-857-5232
“As we enter the 21st century, churches continue to burn across the country at an average rate of 15-20 per month. As a nation of people of good will, we must redirect our focus on this issue with a new sense of urgency. With new energy and new determination… we must send a clear message to the purveyors of hate who seek to destroy our centers of peace hope and sanctuary, that in the United States of America it is not acceptable to desecrate a place of worship.”
Rev. Terrance G Mackey, Sr. NCBC President & Executive Director
The National Coalition for Burned Churches Establishes Mississippi Branch:
First Community Meeting to be Held at Mount Center Missionary Baptist Church, Raymond, Mississippi.
Mississippi- On April 19, 2001, from 6pm to 8pm, the National Coalition for Burned Churches (NCBC) will convene a Mississippi Church Burning Status Conference. The meeting will be hosted by Mount Center Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3789 Sam Herrin Road in Raymond, Mississippi; where the Rev. Rufus Whipp is pastor.
The purpose of this gathering is to provide an update to the status of Black church burnings, discuss church arson prevention measures, and to talk about ways that local communities can do more to help other churches rise from the ashes.
The National Coalition was established in 1997, by a group of mostly rural, southern, African American church leaders and members (victims of church arson), as a faith based response to the 1996 church-burning crisis. The organizations mission is to help heal burned church communities by providing advocacy, support, and technical assistance to children, youth and families in areas where churches are proven or suspected of being burned with racial hatred or anti-religious bias as motivating factors.
The National Coalition for Burned Churches is establishing state coalitions across the country to respond to the ongoing needs of victims of church burnings and bombings. The NCBC state branch programs provide technical assistance and support to victims of church arson and community education programs that will help minimize the impact of this problem nationwide. The National Coalition has established state coalitions in Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri to carry on the work.
According to Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, NCBC president and executive director,
“Looking back on our own experiences, we are reminded that the physical trauma that comes with the burning of holy places is a heavy burden to bare. Those of us who are survivors of this great tragedy are reaching out to embrace pastors who are now facing the same challenges that we once faced. We must also call upon local churches, governmental agencies and the business community to do more to help. No time must be wasted in helping today’s victims of church arson heal and recover; that’s why the Church Burning Status Conference at Mount Center is so important.”
Mount Center Missionary Baptist Church was totally destroyed by arsonist on April 18, 2000 on the Tuesday before Easter. The Church Burning Status Conference on April 19th marks the one-year anniversary that the church was destroyed and rebuilt. Mount Center is now beginning the process of reaching out to help other Mississippi burned churches rebuild and recover.
Robert Bell, NCBC Mississippi branch coordinator adds, “The Church Burning Status Conference is important because everyone should be made aware of what’s still happening. Church burning has somehow been swept under the rug. People need to know that churches have not stopped burning. There are many who are unfamiliar with the work of National Coalition, and people need to know about our work before tragedy happens.”
During the status conference NCBC will also appeal to pastors and community leaders for help to increase security measures around their churches during significant holiday periods such as Easter, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas.
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NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For more information contact:
Date of issue: April 5, 2001 Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr.
PH: 843.853.5363 National Office
National Coalition for Burned Churches Begins Fact Finding Site Visit Tour to Give Support to Eight Black Churches Burn in Georgia Last Twelve Months
Georgia-On April 11-12, 2001, the National Coalition for Burned Churches (NCBC or National Coalition) will begin a church burning site visit tour to visit eight Black churches burned over the last twelve months.
The National Coalition was established in 1997, by a group of mostly rural- southern, African American church leaders and members (victims of church arson), as a faith based response to the 1996 church-burning crisis. The organizations mission is to heal burned church communities by providing advocacy support and technical assistance to children, youth and families in areas where churches are proven or suspected of being burned with racial hatred or anti-religious bias as motivating factors.
Since March of 2000, the following Black churches have been destroyed by arson, victims of attempted arson or burned under suspicious circumstances; Greater Jefferson Baptist Church, Eatonton, Georgia, Stubbs Chapel Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia; Mount Hope Church, Macon, Georgia; New Evergreen Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia; Bethlehem AME Church, Macon, Georgia; St. Phillips Baptist Church, Swainsboro, Georgia; All Faith Family Worship Center, Americus, GA; and Roberson Grove Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Georgia.
The National Coalition for Burned Churches was established to respond to the needs of victims of church burning and bombings. The NCBC church burning response program provides technical assistance and support to victims of church arson through pastoral care and counseling to congregations, conducting on site training called “What To Do When Your Church Burns”, and by providing support with rebuilding including identifying funds and volunteer coordination.
The National Coalition for Burned Churches Church Burning Response Site Visit schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, April 11, 2001
10:00am- Greater Jefferson Baptist Church, Eatonton, Georgia
2:00pm-Stubbs Chapel Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia
Mount Hope Church, Macon, Georgia
New Evergreen Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia
Bethlehem AME Church, Macon, Georgia
Thursday, April 12, 2001
10:00am All People’s Faith Church, Americus, Georgia,
1:00pm St. Phillips Baptist Church, Swainsboro, Georgia
4:00pm Roberson Grove Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Georgia
Dr. John Pace, NCBC Georgia branch coordinator adds, “ we have a very serious problem in our state with church burning hate crimes. We must not sit idly by and not say a word as our churches are reduced to ashes. I am outraged. This has got to stop.” The church were Dr. Pace serves as pastor, Red Oak United Methodist Church, Stockbridge, Georgia, was destroyed by arson on Palm Sunday, 1994. Two volunteer firefighters were convicted in the case. ###
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For more information contact:
Date of issue: March 16, 2001 Rev. Terrance G. Mackey, Sr.
National Office
National Coalition for Burned Churches Partners with United Methodist Volunteer Team to Rebuild Burned Black Church-Arkansas
Earle, Arkansas-The National Coalition for Burned Churches is partnering with the South Whitley United Methodist Church (UMC), South Whitley, Indiana to provide volunteer support to assist with rebuilding the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1861 Cartwright Street in Earle Arkansas. St. James was destroyed by fire July 4, 1999.
Approximately twenty one (21) skilled and unskilled members of South Whitley UMC volunteer work camp will arrive Saturday, March 17th. The group will worship with St. James during there 8:00am service at the Tyronza Baptist District Center located on Hwy 149 North of Earle. Headed by Rev. Connie Payne, the South Whitley church is part of the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. The group will remain in Earle through Friday, March 23, 2001, dedicating a full week to helping St. James rise from the ashes.
According to Rev. Terrance Mackey, NCBC president and executive director, “Church Rebuilding partnerships like this one between burned churches and volunteer teams are being repeated all across this country. The South Whitley volunteer work camp is an incredible team of faithful Christians committed to the call from God to go out and help their sisters and brothers. The very unselfish way that they (South Whitley volunteers) are giving of their time and their talent is quite uplifting. Just knowing that someone else cares is the best medicine in the world to help communities heal and recover from the tragedy of losing their sacred center of worship.” < | 
