How do Communities Bounce Back After a Crisis?

It’s no secret that natural disasters have the power to destroy entire communities.

In the wake of hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes, people often experience unimaginable loss. They may lose their homes, livelihoods, and sometimes, even their loved ones.

The road to recovery is long and difficult. Where do you begin? How do communities bounce back after a crisis? The answer is actually quite simple. In times of crisis, communities need two things to get back on their feet.

First, they need local churches to rise to the occasion. Second, they need world changers like YOU to provide disaster victims with help and hope.

Here are two recent examples of the church and donors working together after a crisis:

Asheville, North Carolina

Thank you for providing help and hope in North Carolina

After Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeastern states last September, I traveled with a World Help team to Asheville, North Carolina. While in Asheville, I witnessed the church being the church in a way I had never experienced before.

Asheville residents and volunteers from Michigan, Washington, Virginia, and Alabama came together to do whatever was needed to help people get back on their feet.

I watched as the church became a vital pillar of the community. We served tirelessly from sunrise to sunset, meeting immediate physical needs and sharing the love of Christ with the victims of Hurricane Helene.

Outside the church, a temporary well was drilled to provide clean water. Laundry and shower services were set up for people without power or running water at their homes.

There was also a drive-up grocery store, where I spent most of my time. My team sorted and packed supplies like food, water, medicine, hygiene products, and more — which were provided by supporters like you!

Church members, the National Guard, and volunteers worked together to get these essentials out the door and into the hands of the people who needed them most.

Los Angeles County, California

The recent wildfires were the worst fires to date in Los Angeles County’s history

The recent fires that blazed through California were nothing short of catastrophic.

Families were filled with dread as they watched the flames creep closer to their homes. Many fled with what belongings they could carry — clinging to the hope that they would still have a home to return to.

Unfortunately, over 12,000 homes, schools, and businesses were burned to ash. Experts claim it will cost billions of dollars to rebuild what has been lost.

In their greatest hour of need, where did wildfire victims go? They turned to local churches.

Like in Asheville, church members and volunteers worked around the clock to provide people with emergency supplies. And because of donors like you, people like Sophia received help and hope when she needed it most.

One of the countless people who lost their homes, Sophia arrived at the church still in a daze.

When it was her turn to receive essentials, she simply said, “Do you have a toothbrush? Do you have toothpaste? I don’t have anything.”

Through the generosity of others, Sofia received a toothbrush and other essentials to begin the long road to recovery.

After a crisis, people begin to recover one small step at a time. They may need a toothbrush, access to clean water, a shoulder to cry on, or a place to find comfort in God’s presence.

Why Your Support is Crucial

You can be the hands and feet of Jesus by joining the Front Line

In times of crisis, people need the local church to step up. But without support from the global Church in times of crisis, local churches often struggle to provide the essentials people need after a disaster. After all, many members of the local churches helping others were impacted, too.

That’s why your gifts are so important. And you don’t have to wait for a crisis to give.

The best and easiest way to help people during their greatest time of need is by joining the Front Line!

As a Front Line donor, your monthly gifts will ensure that disaster victims receive the help and hope they need right away, not weeks or months later. Plus, your gifts will DOUBLE your first year to help TWICE as many people thanks to a $75,000 matching gift!

Join the Front Line today to help save lives by meeting the most urgent needs worldwide.