EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

When the snowstorms hit this winter/spring in the hills of San Bernardino County they were labeled by locals and the media alike as “Snowmageddon” in a twist on a biblical reference to the end times and Armageddon. Perhaps, more fitting than most realized, churches were uniquely positioned to mobilize to help. The group started primarily by churches called themselves Mountain Strong.

Sandals Church of Riverside, which has a satellite congregation in Lake Arrowhead, became a focal point for food/supply distribution and collection. They joined those from other churches like the independent Church of The Woods, who personally banded together their small group bible studies to dig people out of their homes. The Presbyterian Church in Lake Arrowhead became a center for collecting shovels, blankets, coats and more as a makeshift command post. Mt. Calvary Lutheran in Lake Arrowhead, which already runs a year-round food pantry, did their best to distribute supplies and check on the families of those who attend their pre-school. And the local Mormon Bishop filled a helicopter with supplies that landed in the parking lot of their local church in Crestline, CA.

In fact, during a major emergency such as the U.S. saw with Hurricane Katrina, 70% of those stepping up to help were faith-based organizations and churches. It’s a role that’s been important since the beginnings of Christianity. One of the earliest historical records from the fourth century records that St. Basil the Great, a bishop from modern day Turkey established a network soup kitchen throughout a large portion of Europe.

During WWII, churches across Europe stepped up to provide food aid and assistance to those affected. And, back here in the states, Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (then the Lutheran Welfare League) was founded by caring Lutheran Congregations in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties to feed and minister to the people of Southern California.

Today LSSSC serves as a partner to emergency response efforts called the Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response Team (I-LERT) . This network based within the Lutheran community of Southern California as a collaborative effort of the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Pacific and Southwest Districts of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod(LCMS). I-LERT serves as a central hub from which information and training on disaster preparedness is circulated, and through which resources can be directed to individuals, families, and churches in an emergency.

The program coordinator for I-Lert is Pastor Ray Stark of Trinity Lutheran Church in San Diego who is certainly no stranger to emergency response. Until joining ministry full time in 2016, he had a more than 30-year career in law enforcement, often serving as a first responder. His past roles include serving as a detective for the National City Police, an Investigator for the San Diego District Attorney and Task Force Investigator For The San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.

To prepare your church, learn how to mobilize your church as volunteers or to receive other training and resources anywhere in Southern California see: https://www.i-lert.org/.

Why are Faith Based Community Organizations so effective in a natural disaster, worldwide emergency like COVID 19, fires and floods and more? Let’s examine why:

Congregations more than any other type of group have the facilities to provide “popup” shelters, spiritual relief and counseling, education programs and food assistance and distribution. 1

They are embedded in the local community and have local knowledge, geographic proximity, and geographic proximity in communities. 2

FBCO’s can draw on their extensive network of members and volunteers to deliver services and even conduct emergency fundraising campaigns. 3

Churches are highly motivated to serve others as part of their collective and personal values and beliefs. 4

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September is Emergency Preparedness Month