Dallas, TX (BlackNews.com) - Bishop T.D. Jakes, noted author, philanthropist and Pastor of the 30,000-member Potter's House in Dallas, and Rev. William H. Gray III, former President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, hold their first meting as co-chairs for the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund's Interfaith Coalition on Saturday, December 17 in New Orleans. The pair invites spiritual leaders of all religious denominations and affiliations, to discuss the needs of clergy and congregations suffering from the adverse effects of Hurricane Katrina.
"This non-partisan initiative is a vital starting point for all pastors and bishops from around the country to discuss how we can best utilize the $20 million in funding to help churches and spiritual leaders that have been struggling in Katrina's wake," said Bishop Jakes, pastor of the 30,000-member Potter's House church in Dallas. "This endeavor is a means to bring funding and other resources to these struggling churches along the Gulf Coast."
Jakes and Gray have taken these voluntary roles at the request of Presidents Bush and Clinton to encourage faith based leaders whose congregations have been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina to return to their houses of worship. "America needs these brave men and women back in their pulpits where they can proactively benefit their communities," Jakes continued. "This fund will create an opportunity for these men and women to return to rebuilding their own communities and provide others with hope and inspiration."
The strategic meeting will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans located at 500 Canal Street this Saturday and will have room to accommodate hundreds of pastors. There are still rooms and seats available to attend this important meeting.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for spiritual leaders around the country to activate their faith and let their needs be known," said Rev. William H. Gray III, who during his 13-year tenure in the House of Representatives was the highest ranking African-American in Congress, serving as Minority Whip until 1991. "We have an opportunity to influence where this money is allocated. There has never been a more important time to put our collective faith into action than now as we help equip our spiritual leaders to get back to the work of the Gospel."
For more information on the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund, visit www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org. For reservations at the Sheraton New Orleans, call 504-525-2500.
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund Interfaith Coalition
Interfaith Fund Ministers
Rev. Dr. William H. Gray III
Pastor, Bright Hope Baptist Church
Former President and CEO United Negro College Fund
Former U.S. Representative
Philadelphia, PA
Bishop T. D. Jakes
The Potters House of Dallas, Inc.
Dallas, TX
Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell
Windsor Village United Methodist Church
Houston, TX
Archbishop John C. Favalora, D.D., S.T.D.
Archdiocese of Miami
McCarthy Pastoral Center
Miami Shores, FL
Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr.
Union Bethel AME Church
African Episcopal Methodist Church
Pearl St. AME Church
Jackson, MS
Reverend Dr. Fred Lucas
Faith Center for Community Development
New York, NY
Reverend William Shaw
President, National Baptist Convention
White Rock Baptist Church Office
Philadelphia, PA
Bishop Roy Winbush
Church of God in Christ
First Jurisdictional of Louisiana
Lafayette, LA
About The Potter's House of Dallas
A globally recognized church of more than 30,000 members in Dallas, Texas, The Potter's House strives to be the Voice and the Hand that encourages people of all creeds and cultures to change their lives with hope, comfort and peace. This church is led by Bishop T.D. Jakes, twice featured on the cover of Time magazine as "America's Best Preacher" and one of this nation's "25 most influential evangelicals."
