A Force for Hope

There is a powerful force on this earth - a force that provides hope for those who are discouraged, healing for those who are afflicted, and help for those whose lives have been negatively impacted by disaster.  This force is connected to the greatest power source in the universe.  I'm talking about the body of Christ - dispatched by God to do mighty exploits in the name of Jesus, the name above all names.  The Bible says in 1st Peter chapter 4 (ESV):
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

It's now been over a year since Hurricane Helene roared into the Florida coastline and traveled an unusual path through Georgia and into the Carolinas and Tennessee, leaving in its wake severe destruction - a generational, catastrophic storm that will take years from which to recover.

Writing for The Washington Stand, Annabelle Pechmann, who is from Northeast Tennessee, stated: "Northeast Tennessee is my home. While FEMA was deployed to bring aid to the region, I knew the federal government was not the driving force. But what I didn’t know was how much Christian relief efforts played in bringing help to these communities."  She went on to relate:

For 25 years, Clarissa Lane has been a native of Erwin. In December 2024, Clarissa told me, “The majority of the help … is coming from Christian organizations.” She also said 200 houses were being rebuilt that were 900 square feet and mortgage-free by Appalachian Service Project. Clarissa also knew of local organizations like Camp ACC, which had opened their sleeping quarters for volunteers. In addition, campers were brought in by Operation Helo. Clarissa’s daughter Hannah volunteered for Loaves and Fishes — a Christian organization, where she helped move supplies that were delivered.

Pechmann also mentioned local churches who were involved in relief efforts.  She related how God led a group to Hampton, TN to the Spring Street community, where they initiated a program to rebuild or repair 40 homes.  Pechmann stated: "...area churches would adopt a house and stay until the home was rebuilt and provided ongoing care, financial assistance, and volunteerism."  12 churches rebuilt 12 homes, and the other 28 homes were repaired through the efforts of local congregations.

She also shared these observations: "Whether government assistance is available or not, as believers, we must make sure we never shy away from Christian service. We must be driven forward by Christ and His love to boldly live out the gospel as a united front to the lost. Our time is short, and every day matters for eternity. Northeast Tennessee Christians understood this by quickly acting as Jesus Christ to those in need. They picked up their crosses fast, and we are all called to do the same today."

This is a snapshot, I believe, of church- and ministry-led efforts that regularly occur in the aftermath of disasters.  The major Christian relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, states on its website: "Countless families across the southern Appalachian region are realizing just how long recovery can take after a monster storm. The disaster remains an everyday reality for many communities in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee."  Ministry president Franklin Graham is quoted as saying: "All this has been provided by God’s people. God has given it, and God’s given it through His people, the church. We thank God. We give Him the glory, and we give Him the praise.”  And, the ministry is reminding the victims of the storm that God has not forgotten them.   Vice President of North American Ministries Luther Harrison states: “We are in this for the long haul. We are not leaving. God brought this storm into our neighborhood and we are going to help our neighbors and minister to them in a big way.”

The Helene response is yet another example of the Church stepping up - from local churches to large ministry relief organizations, this powerful force that is the body of Christ has been unleashed.  And, through our service, people have the opportunity to be up close and personal with the Savior's love.  Samaritan's Purse reports that through its ministry efforts in the region, over 450 people have made a commitment to salvation through Christ.  One of the leaders in the community effort in Northeast Tennessee reports a "spiritual breakthrough" for some in the area.  The writer of the Washington Stand effort used the words, "true revival," to describe what is occurring.

The love of Christ motivates us - He sends us to where the body of Christ is needed, and that can be a short- or long-term assignment.  But, there is a progression - find a need, seek the Lord for wisdom in how to meet it, do the work, keep praying, complete the task.  The Lord Most High has a plan for His people - and it involves people who don't know Him to hear the gospel; and seeing the gospel in action is a big part of that plan.  Together, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, the force of the Church is present to do mighty things.  Imagine a world without the benevolent action of the body of Christ!