Apostle Art Smith urgently calls Community of Christ members and friends to prayer for Haiti and its people.

He shares, "I ask for your prayers for this beautiful country and its people. Some in the more affluent areas of the world tire of hearing about Haiti's needs, but the current political and social situation is impacting Haitians in dreadful and probably unprecedented ways. Gang rule has led to fear and chaos. Many people have been forced from their homes, including one of our national ministers who has lost everything. Some of our schools and churches have had to close. Unrest in the agricultural areas of Haiti is leading to food insecurity and famine. Refugees have fled to other parts of the country, and those who are able have left the country altogether, seeking safety in foreign lands. Nobody wants to leave their homeland. I'm grateful for Community of Christ congregations in Mexico and the USA that have opened their doors and hearts to Haitian refugees and asylum seekers."

The Council of Twelve and Presiding Bishopric will maintain contact with local ministers to respond to the situation and needs of the people.