Christians respond to tragedy. Some of the first to arrive after Katrina’s landing were Baptist relief trailers, and church volunteers are still there! This is not unusual. Last week, a string of tornados formed suddenly in southeast Virginia, touching down at the Suffolk hospital and the neighborhoods just north of it. And some of the first responders were church volunteers.
The tornado touched down at 4:15pm, before the tornado warning watch box was posted. Too many conflicting stories kept us – coincidentally – in a disaster relief planning meeting. But first thing Tuesday morning, clad in yellow disaster relief t-shirts, a dozen volunteers from 3 churches decended on the area to start the damage assessment. That assessment was to decide where cleanup help was needed.
Our denominational reputation preceeded us, and we were able to not only assess 500 homes, but also were “inside the perimeter” to be able to comfort and pray with victims looking at their damaged homes. And while spectators were left hanging out at the perimeter, our crews were ministering where we could. And it did not go unnoticed. The efforts got front-page visibility .
A week later, residents tell me the overwhelming majority of volunteers are either neighborhood residents or church groups. In response, the news stations are reporting prayer meetings.
My advice is to look for opportunities to minister first, and as you rush in, your sheer willingness, your lack of pretense and humility in service is the point, and will often be so unusual as to be newsworthy.
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