IDES Tornado Relief Supports Communities Across the Midwest
International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) is coordinating with churches to assist communities affected by tornadoes. The ministry is seeking prayer, donations, and volunteers while organizing disaster relief efforts in several states.
- IDES is encouraging churches to pray for tornado victims and volunteers and collect love offerings for disaster relief.
- Relief efforts include a base camp in southern Indiana and volunteer response teams in multiple states.
- IDES is coordinating with churches and institutions as communities assess damage and recovery needs.
International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) is working with churches around the country to help victims of last week’s tornadoes.
“We are encouraging Christian churches and churches of Christ to hold a moment of prayer this coming Sunday to pray for the victims and the volunteers and to take up a love offering for IDES,” the ministry shares. Make donations online or mail checks/money orders marked “U.S. Disasters” to P.O. Box 60, Kempton, IN 46049-0060.
Disaster Relief and Volunteer Efforts
In southern Indiana, IDES will be setting up a base camp to help with disaster relief. Although it does not yet know if it will be able to have a long-term rebuilding presence there, as it has in Joplin, MO, there will be a need for short-term volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering, e-mail id**@**es.org or call (765) 947-5100. All volunteers must report to the volunteer coordinating center in Jeffersonville, IN, and complete a short training seminar.
IDES reports that most disaster areas in Kentucky are currently shut down as officials figure out next steps. The West Liberty (KY) Christian Church was destroyed; IDES has been in contact with West Liberty’s minister and Kentucky Christian University has offered to be a distribution point for supplies.
Response Teams Across Several States
Volunteer teams are also on the ground in Ohio and Illinois. One of the organization’s Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) from Loveland, OH, responded immediately to the crisis.
In Missouri, IDES still has a base camp at West Side Christian Church in Joplin, and volunteers are booked throughout 2012 to continue work there. IDES says these volunteers are ready and willing to respond to the other disasters in Missouri and Kansas, if needed.
IDES will continue to update its website with the latest information.
Author: Christian Standard
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