By Cacy Duncan, Contributing Writer 

 Last month, five religious leaders of the largest African American churches in the Los Angeles area put their heads together to address disaster relief to Haiti.

Participating in the hour-long teleconference were Bishop Charles E. Blake (West Angeles C.O.G.I.C.), Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer (Faithful Central Bible Church), Bishop Noel Jones (City of Refuge), Bishop Henry Williamson Sr. (Chairman, C.M.E. Church College of Bishops) and Presiding Elder Norman Copeland (A.M.E. Church, L.A. District).

In line with their talk of sending quick aid to the disaster torn country, the church leaders discussed the rumors that flew through the church alleging that the major earthquake struck Haiti because the third-world nation is cursed and therefore received God's wrath.

The leaders took a moment in their pulpits the following Sunday to put such rumors to rest and encouraged their congregations to send their donations out as soon as possible.

“The image of pain and suffering coming across the television into our homes are embedded in our hearts and so is a sense of helplessness,” said Blake. “So while we're asking ourselves 'What can we do?', we're also thinking with our California earthquakes, 'It could have been us.' We know our church members are asking the same question and having the same thoughts. We can pray and we can contribute.”

The West Angeles website provides a link through which churchgoers can donate through the Church of God in Christ. Donations to the site will be distributed to Haitian churches, addressing first immediate needs and then extending to aid through mid-range and long-range plans. The national A.M.E. Church provides a similar opportunity for giving on their website.

Haiti is a nation close to Blake and many other pastor's hearts.

“We've been in Haiti for a long time,” said Blake, “and will continue to be there to help, uplift and support the people.”
According to Blake, C.O.G.I.C churches have been in the country since 1920 and currently have 150 sister churches, two orphanages, and 40 schools there. There also several C.M.E and A.M.E. churches in Haiti.

“At this time we're not sure what affect this disaster has had on the Church of God and Christ in Haiti, but we do know what that this country is in need of our support,” said Blake in his online video concerning relief efforts. “Our brothers and sisters in Haiti need our help, an we must act now.”