Photo: Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse staff in Central Park (courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse)
A multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, inter-denominational group of New York City clergy and spiritual leaders released the following statement and a petition on change.org, thanking non-profit organization Samaritan’s Purse for coming to New York City and serving all New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis. The petition also includes an apology in response to statements made by NYC politicians. The statement text:
It is with grateful hearts that, we the clergy and spiritual leaders of New York City, are forever indebted to Samaritan’s Purse for coming to New York City in one of our most desperate times of need, the COVID 19 pandemic. We deeply appreciate the Samaritan’s Purse team, which left the comfort and safety of their own homes, to minister to the sick and suffering at their Central Park Field Hospital, in conjunction with Mt. Sinai Medical Center. We the undersigned, thank and bless the great self-sacrificing, non-discriminatory, and tireless work of Samaritan’s Purse and pray God’s continual blessing on their work here in New York City and globally.
Our Governor Andrew Cuomo, early on in the pandemic, put out a call for assistance and Samaritan’s Purse answered that call. Samaritan’s Purse responded to the SOS call from our governor and other elected officials. Doctors, nurses, technicians and volunteers came at their own expense; the field hospital was established without federal, state, city or local dollars. The money to build the field hospital in NYC, along with the one Samaritan’s Purse established in Italy, came from Samaritan’s Purse and their generous donors to this IRS-approved 501(c) 3 charity. They welcomed and treated over 190 patients at their field hospital with open arms, without any discrimination (300 patients treated over all–at field hospital and other Mt. Sinai facilities). Every patient was treated with dignity, respect and excellent medical care regardless of sex, color, background, sexual orientation, age, religion or no religion.
Thank you, Samaritan’s Purse, for coming to New York City. As New Yorkers who love this City and care for the spiritual and soul needs of our great City, we love all peoples.”
Partial list of signers below. Signers are from all five boroughs of New York City. To add your name to the change.org petition, go to www.change.org/NYTHANKSSP.
Bishop Fernando Rodriguez
Latino American Chaplains Association International, Inc.
The Bronx
Pastor Dimas & Tiffany Salaberrios
The Dynamic Life
The Bronx
Archbishop Dr. Joseph A. Alexander
The Presiding Prelate
New Covenant Christian Ministries International
The Bronx
Dr. Mac Pier
Movement.org
Queens
Rev. Dr. William Terrence Devlin
Infinity Bible Church
The Bronx
Pastor Joseph Fletcher
Senior Pastor, Infinity Bible Church
The Bronx
Dr. Paul DeVries
NY Divinity School
Manhattan
Pastor Joel Sadaphal
Living Word Christian Fellowship
Queens
Reverend Joseph Hernandez
Fordham Manor Church
The Bronx
Elder Glen Kleinknecht
National Rep. Cru Inner City
Queens
Pastor Reggie Stutzman
Real Life Church/The Prodigal Center
South Bronx
Pastor Garry Patrylo
House on the Rock Church
Rockaway, Queens
Pastor Kirk van der Swaagh
Neighborhood Church of Greenwich Village
Manhattan
Rev. Daniel Valentin, Campus Pastor
Reach Church (Assemblies of God)
White Plains, NY
Reverend Victor Nazario
Senior Pastor
Calvary Christian Fellowship
The Bronx
Pastor David Hernquist
Van Nest Assembly of God
Bronx, New York
Reverend Desiree Bernstein
Presidential Prayer 4 Kids NYC
Brooklyn
Chaplain Viviana V. Hernandez
Federal Latin American Chaplains Assoc.
Brooklyn
Pastor Pura M. DeJesus-Coniglio, Esq.
New Generations in Christ Int’l Ministries
The Bronx
Pastor Myrna Calderon
Bronx House of Compassion
The Bronx
Sister Pearl Corbin
Life Team NY
The Bronx
Pastors James and Marsha Elliott
More than Conquerors Ministries
Staten Island
Rev Joselyn Rodriguez
One Way to Heaven Church
The Bronx
Bishop James Miller
Good New Christian Church
The Bronx
Pastor James Perez
Queens Christian Centre-The Family Church
Corona, Queens
Rev. Joyce Swingle
Associate Pastor
Westchester Chapel
Church of the Nazarene
Drama Evangelist Rich Swingle
Westchester Chapel
Church of the Nazarene
Paul T. Murphy
Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship – URCNA
Manhattan
RELATED: The Left’s Message to Samaritan’s Purse as it Serves NYC: You Cannot Be Christian
Click here to visit TriStateVoice.com’s home page for more articles like this one.
RELATED ARTICLE: Honoring Billy Graham on the Two-Year Anniversary of His Death