On November 9, during Pilgrimage weekend in Fayetteville, NC, it was announced that the Youth Storm Fund had met – and exceeded – its goal of $500,000 for disaster relief. The announced total was $567,361!
The announcement was made by Cooper Sykes, current Conference Youth President. Natalie van Dyke, 2018-2019 Conference Youth president, was also on stage for the announcement. Natalie was President when Hurricane Florence came through North Carolina and when the Youth Storm Fund was created. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Rev. Suzanne Cobb, Conference Council on Youth Ministries chair, stood with Cooper and Natalie.
Part of the challenge extended by Bishop Hope Morgan Ward to the youth was that all funds up to $500,000 would be matched by the Conference. Through the combined efforts of youth and adults across our Conference connection, over one million dollars will go toward helping recover and rebuild homes, lives, and communities. Thanks be to God for this gift!