President of The Bahamas Christian Council Bishop Delton Fernander, says the council intends to provide assistance to those ravished by Hurricane Irma in the Southern Islands.

While on tour with Prime Dr. Hubert Minnis and his cabinet colleagues, Bishop Fernander said that the devastation went far beyond just physical loss of homes and structures.

“As we traveled from island to island on this trip it was clear that beyond the devastation that was property,  people were still devastated because of the previous hurricane Joaquin and now what they are experiencing with Irma,” Bishop Fernander said.

While at Crooked Island Airport, Bishop Fernander told the Journal that while on Acklins island, it was necessary to connect with the human side of those affected, the side he said is often missed when assessing structural damages.

“I was glad as the president to be there, as you would have seen in Acklins,  we took time to pray with the cameras off  with one of the persons in the Acklins area who was traumatized; that while you were interviewing him he was crying.

“Sometimes we miss that; we miss the human part of it and so I was glad as the president to be there,” Bishop Fernander said.

As to what the Christian Council will do for those affected, Bishop Fernander said that they intend to give back with monetary donations as well as with physical presence.

“We plan  as the Council  to begin a service of praise and thanksgiving this week where we are going to call those Nassauvians together, and all of the islands, and we are going to begin to collect the funds that are necessary to help rebuild these communities.

“That’s what the Council does and that’s the way we give back and then our presence,” he said.

As to what the council will do with regard to each denomination, Bishop Fernander said that homes will be rebuilt through team efforts.

“Each denomination will send their teams to these islands and they will not only rebuild the homes,  they will rebuild the churches and have worship to help the people,” Bishop Fernander said.

Bishop Fernander expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Minnis for affording the Christian Council the opportunity to see first-hand the devastation of the islands so that they can provide assistance.

“I was glad that we were offered the privilege to come along with all of the industry partners, all of the people who would do the actual work and the Prime Minister and the cabinet and we are thankful that we can make a difference also,” Bishop Fernander said.