August 18, 2026
The River Always Wins
After historic Indiana flooding, churches and IDES showed the power of compassion, reminding believers that even when floodwaters rise, God remains our refuge and the river of life will win.
Articles for tag: Disaster Relief
February 25, 2025
Victory Bible Church Is on the Front Lines of Los Angeles Fire Relief
When wildfires tore through Los Angeles leaving a path of destruction, Victory Bible Church became a hub of assistance for those in need in the community.
‘Entrusted’—ICOM’s President Shares Vision for 2024 Conference
"The ICOM 2024 theme of 'Entrusted' comes from 2 Timothy 2:2," 2024 president Andrew Jit shares. "Jesus has entrusted to us the best news, the gospel, and we are called to preach and proclaim it to those around us, both in our Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth." . . .
February 9, 2024
IDES Helped Close to 700,000 People During 2023, Its 50th Year
Christian Standard asked IDES to share a rundown of the organization’s disaster relief efforts during 2023, its 50th year. There were three major U.S. disasters and three major international disasters during the year to which IDES dedicated its resources, expertise, and manpower. But it is continuing to help with some pre-2023 disasters. All totaled, IDES helped close to 700,000 people . . .
IDES to Serve Tornado Victims in Mississippi
International Disaster Emergency Service has connected with a few churches in the Amory, Miss., area, which was devastated by tornadoes Friday night. It initially will partner with North Boulevard Christian Church . . .
IDES Providing Aid to Thousands of Quake Victims
IDES is working to provide aid and help relieve suffering in Syria and Turkey resulting from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck on Feb. 6. The Christian disaster response ministry has provided aid to more than 20,000 people. It has been working through two partners in Turkey and one in Syria. . . .
February 21, 2023
East Palestine Church Helping Town to Recover after Train Derailment
First Church of Christ in East Palestine, Ohio, is pitching in to help its community as the town continues to recover from a toxic train derailment earlier this month. The church on Tuesday began hosting a health assessment clinic for community members who are concerned their health was compromised by the catastrophe. The clinic is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health. "It's been hectic," said senior minister Bob Helbeck. . . .
February 14, 2023
Team Expansion, IDES Rushing Aid to Quake Victims
Christian agencies have mobilized to try to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, but an urgent need exists for financial contributions so that more people can be helped sooner. Team Expansion and IDES both shared some of the ways their ministries are helping that region’s earthquake victims.
October 22, 2022
Florida Churches Continue to Meet Challenges in Aftermath of Ian
Christian churches in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte, Fla., are scrambling to help their congregations and communities recover from Hurricane Ian.
October 18, 2022
First Christian of Fort Myers, IDES Engaged in Hurricane Ian Relief
Gary Cox has been in Fort Myers, Fla., for 33 years. He’s been through a handful of hurricanes. But he’s never seen anything like the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. “This is just widespread devastation,” said the co-lead pastor of First Christian Church in Fort Myers. . . .
October 3, 2022
Florida Churches Recovering from Hurricane Ian
Much of Florida is recovering from a direct hit by Hurricane Ian last week. Here’s a sampling of what some Christian churches and agencies in Florida have posted on their websites and via Facebook in the past few days. (We are continuing to update this article.)
IDES Responds to Crisis in and Around Ukraine
When Russia attacked Ukraine, IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service) sprang into action. IDES, which is accustomed to operating under challenging circumstances, has partnered with 15 organization to provide relief to Ukraine and 11 surrounding countries. . . .
December 13, 2021
Tornado Recovery Plans Taking Shape in Kentucky
Tornadoes roared through six states over the weekend, destroying a Disciples of Christ church in Mayfield, Ky., among numerous other structures. (This article includes updates from IDES and Northeast Christian Church in Louisville.)
October 19, 2021
IDES Is Sensitive to Potential for Danger in Haiti
The 17 missionaries affiliated with Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries who were kidnapped in Haiti over the weekend highlight the dangers of serving in that politically unstable, severely impoverished nation, said David Stine of IDES.
Hurricane Ida Is Latest in String of Disasters for IDES
When Hurricane Ida roared ashore in Louisiana on Sunday, it caused damage and destruction that continues to be assessed, and it added to the mounting workload for IDES—the International Disaster Emergency Service—a Christian church/church of Christ organization that provides emergency assistance around the world.
August 16, 2021
Christian Ministries in Haiti Request Prayer in Aftermath of Quake
Christian church-affiliated ministries in Haiti are requesting prayer in the aftermath of a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake the struck that island nation Saturday.
Lifeline Opening Louisville Centre with ‘Million Meal Pack’
Lifeline Christian Mission will host a “Million Meal Pack Marathon” April 24 through May 15 with the goal of packing 1 million meals across all four of its U.S. Lifeline Centres, including the newest ones in Lexington and Louisville, Ky.
March 24, 2021
Church Planter Reflects on Life, Ministry a Year after Nashville Tornado
Just six months after the launch of Alive Nashville, a tornado swept through East Nashville and destroyed the building the church had been meeting in. The tornado struck March 3, 2020. "About 24 hours after [that], we were at an impromptu meeting with several area churches," lead pastor Brandon Jacobs said. "An hour later, my wife and I were standing in the middle of rubble coordinating volunteers and relief workers."
January 24, 2021
Small Church a Key Partner in Oregon Wildfire Recovery Efforts
By Jim Nieman A small church in a town of fewer than 2,000 in west-central Oregon is playing an outsized role in helping its region recover from wildfires that swept through large swaths of the Pacific Northwest last summer and fall. Mill City (Ore.) Christian Church initially helped by establishing a disaster relief store, but for the past few months it has partnered with a church from Washington state, along with area business owners and individuals, to help clear some of the more than 300 homes destroyed in the area. “I had spent a year asking God to use me
January 13, 2021
Stine Succeeds Jett as Executive Director of IDES
By Jim Nieman After 16 years on the board of IDES followed by 19 years as the organization’s executive director, Rick Jett has transitioned out of the latter role and David Stine has been named to succeed him. Since 2016, Stine has served as director of operations with IDES—International Disaster Emergency Service—a Christian church/church of Christ organization incorporated in 1973 to provide emergency assistance via missionaries who were in or near disaster situations around the world. “I am honored to continue the legacy of meeting the physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the world in the name of
