Mississippi’s African Methodist Episcopal church district raises money for those in need in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rev. Dianne Dalton, along with the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Denson in Clinton and Sister Michelle Burnett in San Antonio, run Faith Missionary Ministry.

Through this ministry, the eighth district of the African Episcopal Church was able to send nearly $1,000 to buy supplies for those in need in Abuja, Nigeria.

“Nobody has helped them during the epidemic,” Dalton said.

The eighth district, consisting of AME churches in Mississippi and Louisiana, collected donations to send to Abuja.

Because of the donations received, the student group Jisa in Abuja the ministry works with was able to deliver food and school supplies to the people there.

A generator was even purchased with the funds, since the area often loses power.

“They rarely can keep meat over there because they lose power,” Dalton said.

Dalton, originally from Franklin County, has lived in Brookhaven for the past thirty years. With her health, Turner had to step down from pastoring at Turner Chapel, since the position requires her to travel.

Even from her home, Dalton has found a way to help others.

“I can do this from home,” Dalton said.

Dalton said she received videos from the volunteers showing the people they were able to help through their donations.

The people thanked her and the other donors and blessed them.

“It makes you realize how blessed you really are,” Dalton said.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, churches have been closed, so any outreach efforts have stopped as well. For Dalton, this isn’t the case.

“The building closed down,” Dalton said. “But you are the church.”

Even though Dalton could not go and help in person, she knows they were able to make a difference through their giving.

“It’s just awesome,” Dalton said.

“This is what I’m all about. I always tell people I want to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and clothe the naked. I love helping people.”

 

Story by Gracie Byrne