Rightly Trained for the Work
LOUISIANA – The South Louisiana Adventist Community Services (ACS) Federation has undergone some changes in its administration while continuing to receive the support of Durandel Ford, Sr., Southwest Region Conference community services director.
There have been vast challenges in our area due to seasonal weather disasters and the growing needs of our neighboring communities. Our churches are also having to meet the needs of people who were previously serviced by social programs that no longer exist. The challenges have been met through our growing development of partnerships. We have learned to network and work diligently with other agencies, organizations and churches.
In an effort to continue to serve the populace, we have learned that we can better meet the people’s needs by working together with others. We do not have all the resources, funds and know how. Subsequently, through our relationships with various agencies, we have been better able to assist with disasters, fill our pantries and serve our people in the Lord’s name.
The South Louisiana ACS Federation has stressed becoming and staying rightly trained for the work. We are stressing the ACS code of ethics and professionalism, as well as consistency.
Our ACS Federation has two churches who have been certified as disaster shelters: Westbank United Seventh-day Adventist Church of New Orleans, La., pastored by David Hinds; and Smyrna Seventh-day Adventist Church of Alexandria, La., pastored by Christopher Manuel. Both churches were certified by the American Red Cross: Westbank, 10 years ago and Smyrna, two years ago. To God be the glory!
Many of our ACS Federations, local church community services departments, pantries and centers operate in unison with other agencies like American Red Cross, Colistics Pharmacy, AETNA, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Louisiana State University Public Health Services, Urban League, Algiers Mainstreet, United Churches of Algiers, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Trek, Bike Easy, Algiers Federation of Churches, New Orleans Neighborhood Engagement, Louisiana Governor’s Youth Leadership Program, New Orleans Police Department Fourth District, Garden of Eden and Bridging the Gap.
South Louisiana ACS Federation has planned its inaugural Adventist Community Services Retreat for the weekend of Sept. 13-15, 2019 at Woodworth, La. It will be a weekend of spiritual renewal as well as fun-filled learning. Topics of interest include: Partnering, by Royliene Johnson, South Louisiana ACS Federation president; The Active Gun Shooter, by Durandel Ford, Sr., Southwest Region Conference community services director; ACS 101, by Irene H. Williams, M.S.W., Southwest Region Conference ACS coordinator; Disaster Services Update, by W. Derrick Lea, North American Division ACS associate director; Prayer Walking and Talking, by Carrie and Stephanie Cyprian; Meeting and Greeting, and Caring for the Caretaker, by Lucinda Keller, L.P.N.
By Irene Williams, ACS Coordinator
