If we know anything about disaster relief, it's that most of the preparation must take place long before a disaster strikes. That's why Houston Responds has developed The Willing & Able program to help congregations prepare for a disaster and coordinate their response with other congregations in their community.

Why Should Congregations Get Ready?

Readiness is Biblical

As proverbs says, “a wise person plans ahead.”

Readiness is Essential

Disaster response agencies cannot do it all. Often, the “hole” in disaster response is simply people caring for their neighbor—the very thing God’s people are called to do.

Readiness is Transformational

Disaster response ministry opens doors to loving our neighbors that happen no other way and can powerfully transform both receivers and givers, congregations, and entire communities.

How Can Congregations Get Ready?

The Willing & Able Congregational Disaster Response program makes it simple and easy to get started.

Step 1: Willing to Respond to Disaster

Affirm that your congregation is willing to respond when disaster strikes. Register for readiness at www.WillingToRespond.org.

Affirm

Make it known that your congregation is Willing & Able to respond to disaster, and to potentially work together with other congregations in your area. To locate the disaster response coalition of congregations in your area go to www.houstonreponds.org/coalitions.

Connect

For now, the most important thing is getting connected. Identifying as Willing & Able means connecting with your local disaster response coalition and being in communication about ways to prepare and serve.

Register

To identify as Willing & Able and begin receiving communications, please register online at www.WillingToRespond.org. You only need to provide your church name, location, and contact person. Once your congregation is registered, someone from your local coalition or Houston Responds will reach out to your contact person about the next steps.

Step 2: Able to be in Regular Communication

Identify a point of contact, or Disaster Response Coordinator (DRC). This enables your congregation to be in communication with the coalition and other congregations. Communication is the most critical element of disaster response. (A DRC is not required to register.)

Role

The Disaster Response Coordinator (DRC) coordinates your congregation’s response and serves as the liaison between the congregation and the local disaster response coalition. Anyone Willing & Able can serve. There are two primary roles:

Communication:

DRCs provide the point of contact between the coalition and congregation by

• Receiving and responding to communications from the coalition

• Sharing relevant information with the congregation

• Participating in periodic coalition calls or meetings with other DRCs

Coordination:

DRCs ensure the congregation’s participation in disaster response by:

• Arranging for training of volunteers (provided by the local coalition)

• Coordinating a process for congregation volunteers to serve

• Forming a congregation disaster response team if needed

Scope

Beyond the regular coalition meetings, the scope of the DRC role depends primarily on how the congregation serves and the DRC’s leadership style. Whether the DRC is more doer or delegator will largely shape the role, as well as the time and talent required. Once your DRC is identified, your coalition will reach out to the DRC about next steps.

Step 3: Ready to Serve When Disaster Strikes

Consider how your congregation will serve when disaster strikes. The coalition can help you get ready.

Who

By your “congregation,” we mean individuals or teams of people from your congregation or organization that volunteer in one or more ways in disaster response.

What

How it serves is up to each congregation. Some considerations may include a congregation’s previous experience, sense of calling, available resources, volunteer skills, as well as anticipated needs in the community and how other congregations are serving. Your local disaster response coalition helps to assess and communicate these needs and resources collectively.

When

Some congregations and volunteers intend to be generally ready to respond when disaster strikes, as needed and able. Other congregations identify a specific way to serve prior to a disaster to be better prepared. Your local coalition can help with either approach.

Where

Willing & Able congregations serve wherever they are led. Congregations typically respond first in their local community, then their county, then the Greater Houston area. Houston Responds and the network of disaster response coalitions help to facilitate collaborative efforts.

How

Congregations typically identify how they will serve as they would with any other ministry. It may be helpful to do so in conversation with other congregations and coalition participants to avoid duplication and develop a coordinated effort. Your local disaster response coalition can provide guidance and training as needed.

Common Disaster-Related Needs & Ways to Serve

How your congregation serves depends on several factors, such as anticipated needs and available resources, including the interests and skills of volunteers, existing local disaster agencies, and potential partners in the community. Your local coalition helps to assess and communicate these needs and resources collectively.

COVID-19 Response

Common ways congregations are currently responding:

• Food Distribution

• Mask Distribution

• Financial Support

• Planning for Safe Congregational Reopening

Hurricane Readiness

Some common ways congregations are preparing to serve:

• Compassionate Care

• Volunteer Coordination

• Sheltering

• Clean-Up

• Mucking & Gutting

• Supply Distribution

• Laundry Services

• Transportation

• Non-Emergency Medical Support

Local Disaster Agencies, Nonprofits & Potential Partners

Rather than duplicate services, your coalition seeks to amplify the service of others and fill gaps when and where needed. Some examples of potential partners:

• County Long-Term Recovery Committee

• County Office of Emergency Management

• Food Bank

• Many more…

Invite Other Congregations to Participate

The more congregations that participate, the better coordinated and comprehensive the disaster response will be. Congregations often participate in response to an invitation from a friend, colleague, or organization.

Invitation

Here are a few ways you can invite other congregations and their volunteers to participate: • Invite your friends and colleagues in other congregations. • Share the opportunity with your congregation’s denomination or association. • If you lead a denomination or association, invite your participating churches. • If you are part of a ministerial association, invite participating pastors.

Information

For potential participants who would like more information about disaster response or your local coalition, here are some ways to share:

• Share a story about how your congregation has served in disaster response.

• Share how God used disaster response to transform both givers and receivers.

• Share the Willing & Able: Three-Step Overview.

• Share the coalition’s web page. All coalition pages can be found by visiting https://www.houstonresponds.org/coalitions

• Invite a potential participant to the next coalition call or meeting.

• Invite a potential participant to serve with you in your current disaster response.