I personally believe every church in America needs to prepare.  In times of crisis or disaster, people turn to leaders for help.  Even those who don’t belong to your church or congregation will come to you – and that’s a good thing!  We want to share the Gospel in the Last Days!  That’s what we were born for! That’s the reason God chose us to be living at this time in the history of the world!  We were born for “such a time as this.”

While some may think that they’re obligation is more spiritual than practical in times of crisis, I assure you that until people’s physical needs are met, they’re not going to listen to your Gospel!  There’s a verse in the Bible that talks about those who do nothing but pray and bless.  This verse is usually quoted in the context of faith, but I want you to read it again in the context of practical preparations for others in need:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14-17 ESV) Continue reading →