Reaching Out to Those in Need
With the multitude of natural disasters happening in our world we wanted to let you know of ways you can support those in need. We encourage you to support the relief organizations listed below as they are able to focus their gifts to assist those in need.
Mid-West Tornadoes
Our Response to Disasters
PRAY As individuals: We will list on our website current disasters that are in the headlines.
- Prayer team: Our Prayer Team will be contacted by the Missions Leadership Team and asked to remember the current disaster in prayer.
- Congregation: Upon the recommendation of the Leadership Team, Missions Leadership Team and Prayer Team, certain disasters will be brought before the congregation with the emphasis on prayer and give to appropriate organizations.
GIVE We will list ways to give on our website
- To Westside Church, if appropriate
- To charitable organizations we trust and that are already responding – i.e.:Foursquare, FMI, World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse
- Local disasters will be handled by Community Outreach, with the Missions team as secondary support.Local Partners will be considered
GO We will prepare a team depending on the response of Westsiders and the recommendation of the Leadership Team and Missions Leadership Team and encourage participation with one of our partner teams from FMI.
FAQS
With so many disasters happening around the world, how do we know which ones we should have our congregation respond to?
- We will always respond with prayer first, lifting up the situation to the Lord.
- We will encourage the congregation to research the websites of organizations who are already responding, and let them decide if they want to give toward the need.
- If Westside Church has a connection in the affected area – i.e. – one of our missionary’s countries - or the Leadership Team and Missions Leadership Team feels from the Holy Spirit we are to be involved, teams will be formed by our Disaster Relief Team Leader.
Should we respond to all local disasters?
- Thankfully, we live in an area where natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes are not commonplace. If there is a region-wide disaster in our area, it’s more than likely this would affect the Westside Church family. Response will be handled accordingly.
Should we refer people to organizations that respond to global and other disasters?
- We will encourage the congregation to research the websites of organizations we recommend who are already responding, and let them decide if they want to give toward the need.
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
- The only large need responded to by the early church was the financial needs of the church in Jerusalem.
- Matthew 25:31-46 is a statement of the sheep and goats at Judgment Day and how to tell the difference. Ones who inherit eternal life do the following to the brethren: I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. Naked and you clothed me. Sick and in prison and you visited me
- Those who did these things to the least of Jesus’ brethren did it to him. We need to consider this criteria for our response to disasters.
- We also consider the Scriptures that instruct us to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and uttermost ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have further questions regarding the Disaster Relief policy of Westside Church, please contact our missions team.
