How Christians Can Help After Hurricane Harvey and Irma

Hurricane Harvey rocked the state of Texas, and Irma is hot on its heels. These two hurricanes (with a possible third or fourth on the way) are threatening to decimate parts of our own country, as well as other nations in desperate need of assistance. And while prayers are certainly well-intentioned, they are arguably not enough. Instead of being glued to the television or social media updates from friends who are states away, here’s what Christians can do — and are doing — to help.

Organize Volunteers Properly

While there may be a number of congregants who are eager to head down to help, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind before you set out. Volunteers should be “motivated to demonstrate God’s love and not motivated by self-serving reasons (e.g., to be in on the action),” advises Christianity Today. They should also be congregants who are flexible, humble, and collaborative. Volunteers should not be self-deployed but should stay as part of a larger group to reduce potential chaos on arrival. Your team should also be prepared to be completely self-sufficient, as the focus should remain solely on those who you’re helping.

Focus On Other Ways To Help

There are stories of countless Houston-area Christians who were right there in the water, helping fellow residents. One preacher went viral after checking submerged cars for trapped motorists, and many local churches set up their facilities as meeting points or temporary shelters. But if you’re not able to be in the middle of the action, there are still plenty of ways to help. After Katrina, one Christian women’s sewing circle made “Katrina Quilts” from survivors’ belongings that survived; many survivors still cherish these quilts to this day.

If you’re unable to physically rescue stranded residents, your church can still make a difference. Weather damage is the most common reason for roof repair, with 65% of homeowners citing it as the cause for restoration. But in the aftermath of a major hurricane like Harvey, many Americans will need more than just a new roof; they may even need a whole new home. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to rebuild in the coming weeks, months, or even years.

You also could set up a donation button on your own website site that will go right to Texas churches and other charitable organizations. Remember that while the four biggest factors that influence homeowners’ insurance costs are the estimated cost to rebuild, the home’s age, the neighborhood’s fire protecting rating, and personal/neighborhood claims history, many people right in Harvey’s path likely didn’t invest in flood insurance. They may not even be able to file an insurance claim to help rebuild their home, so they will need all the help they can get.

For more immediate assistance efforts, you might consider working with Christian relief groups (such a World Vision, which is assembling family food kids for survivors) or even volunteering through the SPCA, which is working to rescue abandoned animals.

Remember To Think Holistically

Christians often want to think spiritually first. But while spirituality can be key in trying times like these, the reality is that when you provide care for the “whole person,” you’ll be fulfilling their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. Your assistance should be practical and tangible (i.e., offering safety and comfort). The importance of providing water and a meal should not be downplayed. And don’t forget: you can always ask how you can best help them. Although we may like to think we have all the answers, survivors and established rescue organizations will be your best resources for figuring out exactly what’s needed.

If you’re removed from the path of these hurricanes, it can be easy to detach yourself from the situation. But now, more than ever, these Americans need help. As Proverbs 3:27 tells us, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”