Before the Storm: How Christian Disaster Relief Ministries Prepare

Meet five ministries building the systems, supplies, and relationships that make fast disaster relief possible.

At MinistryWatch, our mission is to help Christians become more faithful, generous, and effective stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. It’s why we advocate for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Christian ministries. Because of that, we cover a lot of stories we’d rather not have to — stories of waste, fraud, and abuse.

But that’s not the whole picture. This column exists to amplify ministries doing excellent work — to spotlight ministries making a difference in their own communities and around the world.

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Atlantic hurricane season is entering its most active stretch. Before donors see an emergency appeal, however, relief organizations should already know where supplies are stored, who can deploy, which local partners they can trust, and how they will handle disaster gifts.

This week’s Ministries Making a Difference looks at ministries building those systems before they are needed.

MidwestMission (Caption: photo, midwestmission.org)

Midwest Mission

When flooding hit communities across Indiana and Illinois this month, Midwest Mission did not have to begin collecting supplies. After New Castle United Methodist Church requested help, the ministry sent 180 cleaning kits and 96 hygiene kits. Days later, more than 1,000 cleaning kits went to Anderson, Indiana. The supplies were already assembled because volunteers had prepared them prior to when the flooding began, according to Midwest Mission’s August 21 report.

Midwest Mission receives, assembles, stores, and ships disaster supplies through nonprofit partners. It is also one of seven cooperating depots in the United Methodist Committee on Relief supply network. The ministry says it will not open a fund for a specific disaster unless it knows it will serve that disaster, and money donated to that fund must be spent on that response.

In the MinistryWatch database, Midwest Mission has a 4-Star Financial Efficiency Rating, a D Transparency Grade, and a Donor Confidence Score of 71 (Give with Confidence).

photo, ides.org

International Disaster Emergency Service

Before a church becomes a shelter, volunteer base, or distribution center, International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) wants its leaders to have a plan. Through its Prepare to Respond training, IDES teaches churches how to develop disaster and evacuation plans, identify the resources their congregations can offer, provide emotional and spiritual care, and understand their role during different stages of a disaster.

When a U.S. disaster threatens, IDES coordinators contact Christian churches in the affected area and establish a base camp with a local congregation. Internationally, long-term field workers build relationships with churches and community leaders before emergencies occur.

IDES has a 1-Star Financial Efficiency Rating, an A Transparency Grade, and a Donor Confidence Score of 77 in the MinistryWatch database.

photo, watermission.org

Water Mission

When two major earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, Water Mission deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team within two days. The quick response depended on systems already in place. Water Mission’s disaster team includes engineers, project managers, and logistics personnel, with emergency equipment positioned for rapid deployment. Teams test water, assess potential installation sites, and work with local governments and relief partners and then decide which systems to install.

By Aug. 26, three treatment systems in Venezuela had produced more than 443,000 gallons of safe water, with distribution reaching more than 50 locations. The ministry says it will remain for several more months to maintain the systems.

Water Mission has a 3-Star Financial Efficiency Rating, an A Transparency Grade, and a Donor Confidence Score of 100 in the MinistryWatch database.

photo, ncm.org

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries

When an earthquake struck western Colombia on Aug. 10, Nazarene churches were already embedded in many of the communities that needed help. Local pastors and churches began assessing damage and serving displaced families while the denomination’s wider network provided support. Three Nazarene church buildings were destroyed, and pastors and church members were among those displaced.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries organizes disaster response through local churches and regional networks. Its preparedness system also includes Crisis Care Kits assembled ahead of disasters and distributed through churches when emergencies occur.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Inc. has a 5-Star Financial Efficiency Rating, an A Transparency Grade, and a Donor Confidence Score of 100 in the MinistryWatch database.

photo, eightdaysofhope.com

Eight Days of Hope

Four days after severe storms and tornadoes struck Northwest Indiana on Aug. 11, Eight Days of Hope trained heavy-equipment and chainsaw operators to work in the area. A volunteer deployment followed its smaller Rapid Response Heavy team and is scheduled to continue removing trees, clearing debris, and tarping roofs through Sept. 5.

Eight Days of Hope’s Rapid Response ministry tries to place workers on the ground within 48 to 72 hours. Depending on the disaster, that can mean hundreds of volunteers or a smaller team of trained equipment operators. The ministry says it has responded to more than 75 disasters through the program.

In the MinistryWatch database, Eight Days of Hope has a 1-Star Financial Efficiency Rating, a C Transparency Grade, and a Donor Confidence Score of 78 (Give with Confidence).

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