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We cannot escape the storms of life, even as a Jesus follower, we are bound to be caught on the boat, amid the storm. Disasters often strike more frequently than we’d like to acknowledge. The church's role is to bridge the gap between the needs and the answer. The best way to reduce an impact is not through fear, but by being prepared. Disasters can affect anyone, and when they do, many are left with serious needs — physical, mental, and even spiritual. It is our duty and privilege, as the Church of Jesus, to answer the call when crisis strikes.
Recently, our crisis response team, in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, was able to respond to the tangible needs of those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the west coast of Florida. While the disaster happens in a moment, the devastation will take months to clean up. We continue to pray for all those on the ground, and as we do, we have taken some time to document our organization’s strategy for crisis response.
Prepping a Response Team
When disaster strikes, communities are left vulnerable, and the need for organized help is urgent. The key to an effective crisis response lies in preparation. Assembling and preparing a response team requires more than just willingness—it requires structure, planning, and clear communication.
- Define the Mission: Before anything else, clearly define the goals of your response team. Whether it's disaster relief, cleanup, rebuilding, or providing spiritual and emotional support, having a clear mission allows your team to focus their energy in the right direction.
- Select Your Dream Team: Each response effort is unique, and so is the team that serves it. You may not know everyone attending the trip, but you can always set your team up for success by identifying leaders you can lean on in different spaces. Be intentional about selecting people with the right skills, heart, and attitude. You need a balance of those who can perform physical tasks and others who can provide spiritual support. Not everyone will be cut out for the intensity of crisis situations, so make sure those on your team are ready for what lies ahead.
- Equip the Team: From practical tools like gloves, masks, and first-aid kits to emotional preparedness, equipping the team is essential. Provide training on safety protocols, communication strategies, and the specific tasks they’ll perform. Preparing spiritually is also key. Encourage prayer, unity, and reliance on God’s strength before, during, and after the mission.
- Stay Flexible: No matter how much you plan, things will change on the ground. Flexibility is one of the most important qualities of an effective response team. Be ready to adjust assignments and tasks as new needs emerge
Managing a Response Team
Once your team is on the ground, managing your team effectively is critical.
- Empower Leaders: You can’t be everywhere at once. Appoint team leads who can manage smaller groups and oversee specific tasks. Delegating responsibilities ensures that no one is overwhelmed, and it helps create a system of accountability.
- Encourage Rest and Recovery: Crisis response work can be physically and emotionally exhausting. To oversee a team, it is our responsibility to schedule regular breaks and encourage our teams to rest when needed.
- Keep Morale High: Serving in a crisis can be intense, but it can also be deeply fulfilling. Celebrate small wins, encourage team bonding, and remind the group of the bigger picture—why you’re there and who you’re serving.
- Leave a physical footprint: Every house embodies its values, and at VOUS, one of ours is that honor is our calling. We honor up, we honor down, and we honor all around. So, when we take a group of Servant Leaders outside the four walls of the church, our goal is to carry these values with us. On mission trips, it’s essential to leave something meaningful with the people who have led, inspired, or impacted our experience. At VOUS, we have 'thank you' or 'we love you' cards. We bring these along to ensure no moment is missed for someone to feel honored and seen while we serve.
Caring For a Response Team
Managing a response team effectively is about more than just logistics—it’s about creating space for personal reflection, spiritual growth, and team unity. You can do this through a variety of ways:
- Daily Debrief Sessions: At the end of each day, gather the team for a short debrief session. This allows everyone to share their experiences, challenges, and wins. It’s also a great way to assess the well-being of the group.
- Morning Devotionals: Start each day with a time of prayer, Scripture, and reflection. This grounds the team spiritually, reminding them of the purpose behind their service and allowing them to focus on Christ as they head into the day’s tasks. Every devotional day should be led by a different leader, this places a sense of responsibility to spiritually invest in the group.
- One-on-One Check-ins: Take time to meet with team members individually throughout the trip. Ask them how they’re doing, how they’re seeing God move, and if they have any specific prayer needs. Crisis response work often stirs up deep emotions, both in those we serve and within the team. The intensity of witnessing loss, trauma, and the overwhelming needs of people can lead to feelings of sadness, reflection, or even spiritual questioning. One-on-one check-ins provide a safe space for team members to process these feelings.
- Closing Reflection: On the last day, hold a longer debrief where everyone can share the full journey of their experience. Encourage team members to reflect on how they’ve seen God at work, both in the people they served and in their own lives. This helps to close the experience in a spiritually meaningful way.
Prepping, managing, and participating in a response team will stretch you, challenge you, and sometimes surprise you in ways you couldn’t anticipate. But through it all, the simplicity of serving others with love is what stands out. Whether you’re raking leaves or rebuilding homes, God can use every act of service to bring His Kingdom closer. Keep your eyes open to the unexpected ways He works, and never underestimate the power of simple tasks done with a heart full of love.
