Compassion in Action New Jersey

In January 2010, the entire world watched as a devastating earthquake ravaged Haiti. The Rev. Dr. M. K. Baxter, pastor of Cathedral of Love Community Church in Willingboro, N.J., was overcome with grief, as he witnessed the virtual destruction of the tiny island nation. With a history of providing aid to those in need, Pastor Baxter and the Cathedral of Love did not hesitate to reach out to help the people of Haiti.

Meanwhile, Pastor Jonathan M. Leath of Destiny Family Worship Center, also in Willingboro, N.J., had also provided aid to support Haiti relief efforts.

But both pastors knew that the people of Haiti needed more.

In the spring of 2010, Pastor Baxter and Pastor Leath met to discuss ways to raise money to fund ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. That meeting of the minds led to the formation of Compassion in Action New Jersey, Inc. (CNANJ), a Christ-centered, philanthropic organization that will offer assistance to ease the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable victims of tragedy anywhere.

CNANJ’s INAUGURAL ACTIVITY will be the Burlington County Haiti and Save Africa’s Children Relief Benefit. The event, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2011, will be held at The Enterprise Center at Burlington County College on Route 38 in Mt. Laurel, N.J. 08054.

Through the March 4 benefit, online fundraising tools, and other giving programs, CNANJ hopes to raise $30,000, which will be split between two groups: Christian Haitian Outreach, an orphanage and school a little over six miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the epicenter of the violent quakes last year; and Save Africa’s Children, an organization that funds HIV/AIDS education and training, healthcare, emergency relief, and infrastructure development in more than 20 African countries.

The benefit will feature a keynote address from international speaker Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), one of the nation’s largest denominations, and founder of Save Africa’s Children.

Lonnie Hunter of Praise 103.9-FM will be our guest emcee.

Musical entertainment will be provided by “ONE FLESH” and THE COMMPASSION CHOIR, made up of 50-plus community members who have donated their time and talent to be "joy bearers" for this momentous event.

For more information or to make a donation to CNANJ, call 609-835-4141 or visit www.CNANJ.org.