On Tuesday, January 12, at 4:53 p.m. (Haitian time, 3:53 p.m. Central) a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti, with its epicenter being just 9.3 miles southwest of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The city is reportedly "in ruins" with many thousands suspected killed, many more injured and unknown hundreds or even thousand trapped under the rubble of collapsed homes, businesses, churches, government buildings and reportedly, a hospital.

The Assemblies of God has 273 churches and 66,643 adherents in Haiti, along with two missionary families. Both families have been in touch with AG World Missions and are safe at this time. There has yet to be any information from Haiti concerning loss of life among AG adherents or damages to AG churches.

Haiti, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic to the east, is located southeast of Cuba and west of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. Port-au-Prince has an estimated population of 2.5 to 3 million people.

"The news from Haiti is just devastating," AG General Superintendent George O. Wood says. "I've been awake during the night, praying, thinking about how we need to respond."

This morning, the Assemblies of God has moved into full response mode under the direction of Wood. Funds are being sent from AG Disaster Relief, appeal letters and messages to ministers are being sent out informing them of the tragedy and incredible need, workers are preparing to go to Haiti to help and evaluate what is most needed, Convoy of Hope is in the process of setting up a relief center just outside Port-au-Prince and the National Prayer Center has created a special prayer guide for churches and individuals to know how to pray.

However, the need is expected to far surpass what is already known. So far, only a small portion of the destruction that occurred in Port-au-Prince is documented, with little to nothing known about the devastation in other cities or the rural areas surrounding the quake's epicenter.

"Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere," Juleen Turnage, Communications director for the Assemblies of God, says. "If reports are accurate and even the capital and parliament buildings have collapsed under the strain of the earthquake, I can't imagine how many family homes suffered the same fate. We need to move quickly in order to ease suffering and save lives."

To help with the AG relief effort right now, a tax-deductible gift can be given by going to ag.org/top/haiti.cfm and giving online or by calling 1-866-470-9514 and designate your giving to AGWM/COH Disaster Relief 410946-8 (70).