In just a few weeks (March 20th) I will be heading out to Gulfport, MS to assist in the Hurricane Relief efforts. I will be participating as part of a Rapid Response Team through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). Many have asked me, What is the Rapid Response Team? What will you be doing?
In a recent article from Decision Magazine it featured the Rapid Response Team. The article was entitled, "After the Storms...Ministering Christ's Presence." It told of some of the heartbreaking stories of people who have lost so much in the aftermath of Hurricanes. One story is about a man named Beal. At 71 year old man who has been impacted by the love and compassion of a Chaplain named Wick.
Jack, a leader of the BGEA's Rapid Response Team, was quoted as saying, "When we talk about chaplains, we're not talking about preaching...It's coming alongside people and loving them and being available to share the Gospel with them." I call this "sharing good news in bad times." There are many in temporary housing still. Homes are not all built so many who are displaced are returning today with nothing and no place to call home. They are in hotels and other temporary housing programs.
Our message is Jesus and his care for you. We know that being a Christian doesn't exempt us from trouble and heart ache. For those who are not Christian really don't understand this. They feel that God has abandoned them. But Chaplains share the truth of the gospel, Jesus loves them and cares about them! Our ministry is one of listening and prayer. Our ministry is one of presence. Our ministry is one of demonstrated compassion. It is showing that God does care and offering the good news of the gospel. This provides hope through faith in Christ.
Another aspect of the ministry we provide is a ministry of oneness. The body of Christ is working together. Those in need don't see Baptist or Methodist. They see the church as one, working together to show love to those in need. Our message is united; God knows and cares about your need! Just as Jesus spoke, we will have troubles. There are those who think all is lost. Our hope is to be a minister of Christ's presence to those in need.
Anne Graham Lotz writes; "When disaster strikes, how are God's people supposed to respond besides weaping? ... There is one thing God's people can do more effectively than anyone else. Pray."
Skip Heitzig wrote another article in this edition of Decision Magazine. He says, "Being good or godly doesn't make us immune from disaster or from wicked events. Sometimes God calms the storm; other times, He calms His child in the storm." He offers five principles that we can share with those responding to crisis. These include:
Vigilance, Confidence, Reverence, Odedience and Expectance. If we can share our faith in Christ and apply these basic principles, our witness to others will help provide hope. As C.S. Lewis sayd, "God wispers to us in our pleasures...but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
Pray for me as I prepare to head out and join the Rapid Response Team in Gulfport, MS.
(Reference: Decision Magazine, November 2005)
