Everything changed on Monday, August 29, 2005...
Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury upon the Gulf Coast with a devastation never seen before... America's worst natural disaster destroyed so many communities with its relentless winds and rain that the scope of its rage is difficult to imagine. While America watched in horror as images of heartache and stories of loss flashed across their TV screens, there were some communities that were simply forgotten... Bogalusa was one of those small communities.
No news coverage... no national attention... no special reports...
And yet this was not and is not a forgotten city. For the Lord Himself raised up His children around the nation to bring relief to this city. Relief which was desparately needed.
Browse this site for more information on how you can get involved in rebuilding a community by restoring homes... lives... and hope. The hope that comes from God and God alone.
The Damage
Then came Hurricane Katrina. This storm ravaged this tree laden city. For over 10 hours, Katrina’s sustained winds blew between 100 and 120 miles per hour, with gusts measured up to 180 miles per hour. The city estimates that over 80% of its trees were lost or damaged. Hundreds of homes were damaged and many destroyed. With the economic level of the city, being what it is, many of the residents did not have insurance. In a nutshell, the needs of this city, like many, many other cities in this area, are great.
The Call
When the hurricane struck, the entire nation was made aware, by the vast media coverage, of the great needs arose overnight. Many churches began to feel God’s call to help meet those needs. For some, the response was to immediately dispatch teams to help with immediate relief. For others, the call was to set up a plan to go and help, not only with the immediate needs of relief but to also help with the long term process of rebuilding.
First Christian Church of Phoenix, Arizona believed that they were being called to a community where they would give both financial and physical assistance in helping rebuild. Their commitment was to find that community and commit to a time period of 2 to 3 years for this process. After seeking God’s direction for “that city” they were led to this city of Bogalusa, LA. Not long after a contact with J.T. Wright, Sr. Pastor of the Superior Ave. Baptist Church in Bogalusa, First Christian began receiving inquiries from other churches who also felt they were being led to this community. Pastor Scott Crawford, from Aloma United Methodist Church, in Winter Park, Fl. took a team of men to look over the city, helped with a some clean up efforts, and became convicted that he and these other leaders wanted to get involved with the immediate as well as the long term needs in this city. At the direction of Pastor Wright, Scott called Kenyon Ackeberg, First Christian, Phoenix, to express their interest in joining the long term effort. In the meantime, Pastor Ackeberg and an advance team from Phoenix made the trip to Bogalusa to assess the needs and determine if this was truly the place God could use their efforts. With an open reception of City and State leaders, as well as many of the local pastors in Bogalusa, this team was convinced that God could and would use their efforts for His glory in this place.
Simultaneously, First Federated Church, in Des Moines, Iowa called to express their interest in this ministry as well. They too wanted to begin bringing their members, as well as others in the Des Moines area, to help with this process.
The name “Magic Triangle Ministries” (Now Triangle of Hope) was originated by a Pastor in Bogalusa who noted that the cities of Phoenix, AZ., Des Moines, IA, and Orlando, FL, make a triangle around Bogalusa, LA. With Bogalusa being called the Magic city, this name was born.
Soon after, Pastor Kenyon and others from First Christian, Phoenix, were put in contact with Pastor Marcus Rosa from Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church. This initial contact began a relationship with this church that continues to this day as Westside Emmanuel has graciously opened its facilities in partnership with Triangle of Hope Ministries.
The Goals
The goals that have been established are three fold:
A. Rebuild Homes
There is still much clean up to do (clean up of trees, debris, exterior and interior of homes and church buildings, and temporary repairs to those facilities)
B. Rebuild Lives
It is the desire of all those who join together for this ministry to help in the rebuilding of the lives of the residents of Bogalusa by helping them restpre to normal their lives by the repair and rebuilding of their dwellings
C. Rebuild Hope
We who are coming together to minister to this community believe that we can help restore hope as we come together from many communities across the United States and combine our efforts, working side by side, to show the residents of this community that much can be accomplished as we work together. We also believe that as we include the residents of Bogalusa in working with us, they can catch a glimpse of what they can do, in spite of their economic condition, if they begin to work together. And ultimately, our desire is to let them see the Love of Jesus Christ in our lives. We know that can make both an earthly and eternal difference in their lives. This will give them the Ultimate Hope.
