Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing is a national organization that uses original music from Christian and secular artists to raise awareness and funds for mental health and pastoral counseling services in needy and underserved areas of the United States. The organization is supported by both religious and corporate groups and individuals who have come together in unique ways to serve in this ministry. Currently Winds of Hope is focusing on the needs in the Gulf Coast with specific emphasis on raising funds to supplement counseling and chaplaincy in New Orleans and a new counseling center in Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi, an area that was underserved before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and now cannot meet the needs for necessary counseling services.
Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing has been asked to develop a documentary video with sound track of one church outside of Galveston, Texas, whose congregation was prepared for Hurricane Ike and whose efforts were rewarded as they deployed 100 people into their community to assess damage and needs shortly after the hurricane subsided. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Baltimore, New Castle and National Capitol presbyteries will use the work in training for preparedness.
The Spiritual Care Collaborative, Summit ’09, a gathering of the six organizations of spiritual care in the United States and Canada will welcome Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing as their musical performance in Disney World, February 1-4. The Presbyterian Association of Specialized Pastoral Ministries will be hosting a breakfast for all Presbyterian participants at the Collaborative.
Musicians from Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing volunteer to contribute their time and talents to this ministry. Among the ongoing venues for fundraising are churches who invite the organization to participate in worship. The musical teams are able to preside over an entire service or simply present a brief explanation of their mission and music. As much as possible, Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing uses local musicians (praise teams are often already in place in congregations) and will give them the basic chords for a couple of their songs. At least one vocalist from Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing will be present at any service. In this way, Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing is organic, inviting and including musicians from all over the country. In 2009, Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing plans to release a CD including known and original artists from around the country. The proceeds of these sales will benefit mental health and spiritual care needs in the Gulf Coast.
For more information about how you can be involved, contact Nancy Lincoln-Reynolds, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland.
Video
Watch this short video below, highlighting the work of Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing.
