Churches Help Flint Residents Cope with Water Crisis

Robin Mazyck
01-21-2016

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Churches across the state of Michigan are traveling to Flint to help the city's some 100,000 residents deal with a severe water crisis.

The problem started in 2014 when the city switched its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in a money-saving effort. The move eventually caused corrosion of the aging pipes and contaminated the water with lead.

Later, a pediatrician in Flint found children in the city had high levels of lead in their blood. Lead is toxic and exposure can be especially dangerous for chidlren, causing potential neurological problems.

CBN News Anchor John Jessup spoke with Pastor Chet Atkins, with Gideon Christ Community Church in Saginaw, Michigan. Atkins traveled to Flint to hand out water, pray with Flint residents, and offer hope. Click play for more, including pictures from the pastor's trip.

On Tuesday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder addressed the water crisis in a speech to the state Congress. He has admitted mishandling the situation, but he says he won't step down.

President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency over the weekend, allowing FEMA and the National Guard to step in and start distributing bottled water.

FEMA is also providing lead testing and water filters.

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About The Author

Robin
Mazyck

Robin Mazyck serves as Bureau Chief for CBN News' Washington, D.C., bureau. She has interviewed a number of prominent politicians and national figures for the network. She grew up a military brat and is from South Carolina and loves the Low Country. Robin graduated with English and Communications degrees from Newberry College and a master’s in journalism from Michigan State University. Robin is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She is a married and has a son.
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