All We Can Launches Emergency Relief Fund, for World Crises

All We Can, a pioneering international development and humanitarian organization, has announced the launch of its Emergency Relief Fund. This ground-breaking initiative is designed to enable All We Can to respond swiftly and effectively to crises occurring around the world.

In today’s rapidly changing world, emergencies and disasters strike without warning, leaving vulnerable communities in urgent need of support. By establishing a separate pool of emergency funding, All We Can will be able to provide immediate assistance, ensuring that help reaches those affected by crises without delay.

The Emergency Relief Fund is a direct response to the growing demand for a rapid humanitarian response in times of crisis. By having a separate pool of emergency funding, All We Can hopes to create a way for regular givers to specifically support with emergency relief and disaster risk reduction. When disasters strike, the ERF means All We Can is well-equipped and prepared to respond immediately, making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

Natalia, a 43-year-old psychologist from Kiev, shared her first-hand account of the impact of the Emergency Relief Fund. She recounted her journey from Ukraine to Poland, fleeing the conflict and seeking refuge with her children and pets. Natalia explained the challenges faced by refugees, including the difficulties of communication within families, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among displaced individuals, and the desire of some to return home despite ongoing dangers.

Currently, Natalia works with people with disabilities, particularly children with Asperger’s and autism, as well as adults suffering from post-traumatic stress. However, she highlighted the technical challenges refugees encounter in accessing psychological support due to their work schedules and transportation constraints. Natalia expressed her willingness to adapt and provide online counselling if necessary, emphasizing the importance of mental health support for the displaced population.

The launch of All We Can’s Emergency Relief Fund serves as a beacon of hope for individuals like Natalia and countless others impacted by crises worldwide. It enables the organization to respond swiftly and effectively, providing essential aid and support to those in urgent need.

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to contribute to the Emergency Relief Fund through All We Can’s website at https://www.allwecan.org.uk/ appeal/emergency-relief-fund/. Their donations will empower All We Can to continue making a lasting impact and providing hope in times of crisis.

Graeme Hodge, CEO of All We Can, said: “All We Can recognizes the critical importance of immediate humanitarian response in the face of global crises. Stories like Natalia’s show how the ERF helps us to support vulnerable communities and individuals, providing essential aid and psychological support during their darkest times. We urge everyone to join us in this crucial work by becoming a regular supporter of the fund and making a difference in the lives of those affected by emergencies.”

For more information about the Emergency Relief Fund and to donate, please visit allwecan.org.uk/ emergency.

Together, we can make a lasting impact and provide hope in times of crisis.

Students challenged to live in God’s power at NYC 2023

Over 10,000 students and volunteers gathered at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, from 5-9 July for Nazarene Youth Conference 2023.

The four-day youth conference for students entering 9th grade through graduating high school seniors featured plenary sessions, times of worship, live concerts, and service projects in the community. The conference brought together students from the United States, Canada, and missionary students for an impactful experience.

“NYC was such a unique opportunity,” said Crismari Leon, a student attendee from Nall Avenue Church of the Nazarene in Prairie Village, Kansas. “Being in an arena with 10,000 other high school-aged people worshipping God together was unreal.”

Popular Christian recording artists For King and Country, Zach Williams and Blessing Offor, and Lecrae performed following the evening plenary sessions.

Thanks to the Ministry With Others portion of NYC, students put in over 30,000 combined service hours for various local service projects. Over 78 different projects completed ranged from helping with landscaping and painting at local churches to cleaning up local parks and putting together more than 30,000 Care Kits to be distributed through partner foundations around the Tampa Bay area. The MWO sites made an estimated economic impact of $1.5 million in Tampa.

In addition to the plenary sessions, The Experience, an interactive and immersive prayer experience, gave students time to reflect and connect with God in a more peaceful setting.

“The Experience was a break from all the commotion of NYC to connect with God one-on-one,” Leon said. “It allowed for a time of reflection on why we were in NYC and how we could continue to use what we learned going forward.”

The conference’s theme, Overflow, was based on Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This was illustrated through the seven sermons the students heard during the conference.

On Thursday morning, LaMorris Crawford started the conference by discussing the hope in Jesus Christ, encouraging students to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Carly Bartlett followed up that evening, discussing God’s grace and how it renews and restores through the story of the Samaritan woman.

On Friday morning, Chris Simning preached about God’s goodness and how it can saturate the unworthy or unwanted areas of their lives. Rich Villodas then gave a powerful sermon on how the Nazarene holiness tradition is rooted in love and can help bring justice and restoration to a broken society, encouraging the students to be vessels of that process.

On Saturday, Jason Ballard preached about following God’s plans, reminding the students that He has equipped them for the task ahead. Ballard challenged them to think as Jesus would have as they faced certain moments in their life.

General Superintendent Carla Sunberg spoke on Saturday night, charging the students to stand in the overflow of the Holy Spirit, so they might be empowered to fulfill God’s call in their lives.

And finally, Eric Samuel Timm challenged the students during the final session on Sunday morning to share the hope they find in the overflow and to let it flow out of every aspect of their lives as they return home.

“If we allow God to overflow, He will take over our lives and guide us through the right path,” Leon said.

To help reorient the conference schedules for NYC and General Assembly, the next two NYCs will take place every three years. It was recently announced that NYC 2026 will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Read more at https://www.nazarene.org/