Emergency Response Team
Our ability to respond to emergencies is an important facet of this ministry. We go into a community, assess the immediate needs, and formulate an action plan of practical assistance to meet those needs. In the past, we have ministered to communities devastated by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, floods, famine and over-thrown governments – as well as at school shootings at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, Santana High School in Santee, CA, and at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, CA. The last two schools are within three miles of our base of operations.
Our Response Team is comprised of:
- Volunteers who are specialists in the fields of:
- Pastoral care (adults, youth, and children)
- Education
- Counseling
- Special needs (e.g. homelessness, medical, hunger, transportation, etc.)
- Volunteers who have demonstrated the ability to deal with local issues before being exposed to the trauma of emergencies in other communities.
We have discovered that at the time of tragedy (or even joyous celebrations), people pull together and experience an emotional/spiritual connection that transcends the normal experience. Once back in the humdrum of daily existence, the connectedness falls by the wayside and people often stumble or plunge emotionally and/or spiritually. To this end, we help establish on- going ways of connecting with others that stabilizes the fall subsequent to periods of intense emotion. Our goal is to be there for the long haul, not just for a short time following the trauma.
…So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contribution to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:5-8
As people with varied gifts, we seek to work together and combine these talents to bring glory to God and service to our neighbors. |
