Senator Coffee Applauds Local Church for Relief Efforts

Senator Glenn Coffee

Sen. Coffee wants people to know about efforts of local churches to help Katrina refugees.

Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said he was extremely proud of one Oklahoma church’s efforts to directly assist victims of Katrina. Victory Church in Norman was making its shelter ministry in Oklahoma City available to evacuees. As of mid-afternoon, the shelter at 1900 N.E. 36th Street was already providing housing to some two dozen evacuees and was preparing for the arrival of more than 80 additional refugees later in the day.

“I understand that they can accommodate about 100 people there, so they’ll be full after this new busload arrives. At that point they’ll be helping get evacuees to their sister ministry, Resurrection Life Church in Yukon. Between the two locations they’ll be able to accommodate about 250 people,” Coffee said.

Coffee said that according to Victory Church Pastor Fred Sellers, their Oklahoma City shelter has plenty of supplies on hand, but the Yukon ministry would likely need more. Sellers told Coffee that the things they would need the most included diapers, personal hygiene items, blankets, clothing and cash donations for other expenditures.

“It looks like between the two facilities, the utility bills to cover the cost of housing the evacuees will be about $15 thousand a month. They’re asking area churches to take up a second offering this Sunday to help care for these individuals,” Coffee said.

The Rev. Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, has called on churches and their parishioners throughout the country to help by taking in refugees.

“I saw it on TV and thought that was really a great idea. If every church took action we could really make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands who have become homeless because of Katrina,” Coffee said. “It’s really no surprise that Victory Church and so many others across the state have already started pitching in to help. I’m extremely proud of the work that these churches are doing to help our fellow Americans in this time of crisis”

Contact info

, Pastor Fred Sellers at 405-364-1510. For more information Senate Communication's Office - (405) 521-5774