The Christ-centered compassion
of Prestonwood is not limited to
our local communities; rather, it
reaches into cities and ministries
throughout our nation. We are
committed to supporting our brothers and
sisters in times of need and assisting with
their restoration and growth. Emergency
relief is provided to victims of tragedy such
as the recent Virginia Tech shootings and
those devastated by Hurricane Katrina in
New Orleans. Our prayer is that many lives
will be changed as a result of our presence in
these communities and that the desire of our
church family would be to reach our nation
for Christ.
Boston
In Boston, a place where old, historic
churches are being transformed into luxurious
townhouses, the Christian principles
our nation was founded on are becoming
things of the past. Pastor Curtis Cook of
Hope Fellowship Church in Cambridge,
Mass., knows of the critical need for sharing
Jesus Christ in the Boston area.
With a population of 4 million, less than
5 percent are churched or Evangelical
Christians. Through its partnership with
Prestonwood, more than 850 people have
been impacted by outreach activities and
thousands more have been reached for
Christ through servant
evangelism.
“Prestonwood has been
completely encouraging
and celebratory of
all that has happened
here from the beginning,”
Curtis said. “What
we’ve been able to do
so far would have been
extraordinarily difficult
without their help. We’ve
been richly blessed because of our partnership
with Prestonwood, and we hope to be
able to plant churches in the future.”
New Orleans
In New Orleans, churches slowly continue
to piece together what Hurricane Katrina
destroyed. Prestonwood is one of seven
churches participating in a pilot program to
help churches on the Gulf Coast devastated
by Hurricane Katrina, said Executive Pastor
Mike Buster.
“Unlimited Partnerships New Orleans
matches students from New Orleans Baptist
Theological Seminary for one year with
churches that need help with Christian education,”
Mike said.
The sponsoring churches fund the students’
paid positions. Unlimited Partnerships
is a joint effort of the North American Mission
Board, the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the
Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans
and the seminary.
Prestonwood is sponsoring Jon Young, a
third-year seminary student, who is working
at Memorial Baptist Church in Metairie, La.
“The partnership we have established is an
incredible opportunity to have a direct impact
on Memorial Baptist as well as provide
Jon Young hands-on training in ministry,”
Mike said. “It’s a blessing to make a difference
in a church striving to recover from the damage
of Hurricane Katrina.”
Jon says he hopes to glean valuable insight
from the experience.
“It’s been incredible to see how the program
opens avenues in ministry that would
be too taxing on the pastor alone,” he said.
“It allows me to come alongside and assist
him so he can focus on the rebuilding of the
sanctuary and things of that nature.”
| 
