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: International Disaster Emergency Services
September 16, 2020
Restoring the Neighborhood—and Lives—from the Sidewalk Up (Plus News Briefs)
Volunteers in the North Heights neighborhood of Joplin, Mo., spent the weekend “digging up brick sidewalks and working to restore them,” according to a story in the Joplin Globe. The bulk of the work occurred in the area around the Neighborhood Life House, a church-supported nonprofit that provides programs for children and adults. Volunteers with NLH and another neighborhood group provided the manpower. The sidewalks were identified as a key neighborhood concern in a survey earlier this year. “We’re restoring lives and we’re restoring the neighborhood and trying to put some life back in it,” NLH board member Neil Robinson
September 14, 2020
Churches Respond to Wildfires Scorching the West
By Jim Nieman We don’t know how many churches have been impacted by the multiple wildfires that have destroyed millions of acres in California, Oregon, and Washington, but we scoured websites and Facebook pages to get an idea of what churches are going through and how they have responded. Here’s what we found: • Pursuit Christian Church, Oroville, Calif. — Last Wednesday, lead pastor Fred Wood wrote on Facebook: “Hey, Church! Check in, leave a comment and also let us know you are OK! If you’ve been evacuated and need anything, let us know and we will do our best to
December 15, 2017
HEADLINES: January 2018
By Chris Moon  Church Planter Helps with Recovery in Dominican Republic Church planter Chris Hornbrook had to weather the storm last fall in his mission work in the Dominican Republic. Hornbrook is working to start a church-planting movement on the Caribbean island and watched as Hurricane Maria spun by, doing significant damage to the region. It generated a lot of work for Hornbrook and his team, according to the Daily Journal in Franklin, Ind., which wrote about Hornbrook”s efforts. “We”re working through our local churches and pastors so that they can help the people in their communities,” Hornbrook told
December 3, 2015
Holiday Season Ministry Ideas
By Michael C. Mack Give gifts to people in need. Use the gift catalogs from International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES)””go to ides.org, select About Us, and then Newsletters, and then Gift Catalog””or World Vision (www.worldvision.org) to provide people the opportunity to buy useful gifts such as animals, handcrafted gifts, or clean water for children and families in need. You can even create a gift registry to help raise funds. Give gifts of time. In a small group or class, have each person identify one person they know who may need a listening ear or emotional availability from a friend this
November 21, 2015
ICOM: A Conference with Eternal Value
By Rick Jett I used to feel sorry for the away team. When I ministered in Marion, Indiana, in the mid-1980s, the Marion Giants were the dominant high school basketball team in the state. They were state champions three years in a row. On game day, everyone in town wore purple and gold to support the home team. Nearly 7,000 fans would fill the high school athletic arena. The ceremony before each home game was designed to intimidate the away team. After everyone stood for the national anthem, the announcer would introduce the starting lineup for the visitors. The cheerleaders
April 24, 2014
Ministry When the Tornado Rumbles
By Paul Boatman Shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2013, an EF-4 tornado, with winds nearing 200 mph, cut a devastating quarter-mile wide swath through Washington, Illinois. Jeff Browning, lead pastor, and Jon Pittman, worship/youth minister, were leading services at Washington Christian Church as the storm roared through the city, narrowly missing the church building. This interview took place two weeks later. Tell about your experience. Jeff Browning: When we heard tornado sirens after Sunday school, we got people into tornado shelter areas, but when an ominous dark cloud blew past and the sky appeared to be
A Firsthand Report on the Joplin Tornado
By Victor Knowles It was a searing scene straight from of the book of Revelation. Thunder crashing, lightning flashing, wind howling in excess of 200 mph, hail hammering everything in its path like a merciless Hun invasion, and “ball lightning”—big balls of red fire bouncing across the ground like bizarre basketballs from Hell. “It was like a nuclear bomb was dropped,” exclaimed a stunned Errol Bolt, who has survived several hurricanes in his native Jamaica. And when the EF-5 tornado had spent its fury, one-third of the city of Joplin, Missouri, lay in ruins. The Weather Channel’s Al Roker initially
June 30, 2011
After the Japanese Earthquake
By Reggie Hundley On March 11, a powerful earthquake struck just off the island of Japan. The destruction and loss of life from the quaking earth paled in comparison to the cataclysmic power of the resulting tsunami. News of the devastation traveled around the world. And within moments, people were contacting the forwarding agents of missionaries and the offices of Mission Services Association, the National Missionary Convention, International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES), and others. People from around the world wondered how friends and residents of Japan were faring. Perhaps the words of Paul Clark, longtime president of Osaka Bible Seminary,
May 23, 2010
After the Earthquake in Haiti
Reggie Hundley reports how Christian ministries responded after Haiti’s 2010 earthquake with food, shelter, medical care, and long-term relief rooted in practical compassion and gospel hope.
February 28, 2010
Honor Where It”s Due: A Report on the 2009 National Missionary Convention
John Caldwell reflects on the National Missionary Convention’s growth, honors Walter and Iva Lou Birney’s decades of service, and highlights a renewed call to prayer, missions, and workers for the harvest.
August 16, 2009
The Perfect Recipe
Churches across the United States partnered with Lifeline Christian Mission and Kids Against Hunger to pack meals for hungry children in Haiti, involving volunteers of all ages in hands-on service.
February 1, 2009
A Great Gathering for God’s Glory (The National Missionary Convention)
The 61st National Missionary Convention gathered nearly 4,500 people in Tulsa for worship, workshops, exhibits, mission stories, and renewed commitment to cross-cultural service.
January 18, 2009
Harvest of Talents: More Than Money
Lincoln Christian Church’s Harvest of Talents for World Hunger uses handmade gifts, food, music, auctions, prayer, and community events to raise funds through IDES for hungry people around the world.
September 9, 2007
Feeding the Hungry
Pat Magness reflects on feeding hungry people at home and around the world, and how Jesus’ meals and miracles reveal that ordinary acts of provision can be holy obedience: “You give them something to eat.”
New Year, New Relationship
Most New Year’s resolutions fail, but one small step can deepen your walk with God. Practical ideas from Acts 2:42 focus on Scripture, hospitality, generosity, Communion remembrance, and a simple daily prayer plan.
August 20, 2006
Hurricane Katrina–One Year Later
Hurricane Katrina church relief efforts brought millions in giving, truckloads of supplies, and thousands of volunteers to the Gulf Coast—helping ministries shift from immediate aid to long-term rebuilding.
August 16, 2006
Interview with Rick Jett
Rick Jett explains how International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) works through churches and missionaries to deliver aid in crises, strengthen local witness, and help congregations prepare to respond to disasters.
February 19, 2006
The Making of a Missionary
How should churches evaluate missionary candidates seeking support? Dale Meade challenges common assumptions and urges clear missions goals, meaningful commitment, and strong training standards for effective gospel work.
February 12, 2006
Random Thoughts on Benevolence
Carl B. Bridges offers five practical observations about helping the needy—combining compassion with realism, wise giving, volunteer service, and humility amid political disagreements.
