Tornados, major flooding, earthquakes and typhoons… Our world, both at home and abroad, seems to be convulsing in agony. This display of fracture and upheaval is a direct result of a broken world, torn apart with cataclysmic consequences.
A world that was designed to function flawlessly and in perpetuity is undeniably out of control. The groundswell of turmoil that was unleashed when sin entered our world has matured into a full blown tidal wave of rampant destruction.
Around the world over 60 million people a year are affected by disasters. Statistically, the most vulnerable are the poorest of the poor.
January’s earthquake in Haiti left three million people in direct need of aid. An estimated 230,000 lost their lives. Most hospital facilities suffered structural damage and were completely unprepared for the dramatic influx of severely injured people. Although today’s technology is improving the ability to forecast calamities, Haiti is a prime example that our best efforts at disaster preparedness and management still are inadequate to prevent severe suffering and loss.
Here in the USA, we’ve seen a rash of tornadoes, hurricanes and floods – bringing about unprecedented hardship to our citizens.
While the nation was still busy helping our neighbors in Haiti, 1,000-year floods overcame the city of Nashville and its environs. With our offices situated in one of the city's suburbs, it was a poignant reminder that "every disaster is local" and even here in our hometown we are not immune to the devastation and loss experienced by so many in our world.
We are deeply proud to be a part of a hometown that truly models the “golden rule” as we saw neighbor helping neighbor…and an attitude that says, “We will recover from this!”
We cannot answer the million dollar question: Why is all this happening? While it may seem that inadequate answers are available, we can begin to define what our response should be to the suffering of others. Look at Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan: “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him." Luke 10: 33, 34
We believe that followers of Christ have a mandate to respond to those who are suffering from disaster or chronic need.
We must respond with compassion to the plight of those in need, doing all we can to care for them. Some, like the Good Samaritan, will go to those in need and “bandage their wounds” In Hope Force this is conveyed through providing medical services, food, water, emotional and spiritual support. Some will pray and give support to those who tend the needs of others. We can all do something to convey God’s love in times of crisis or calamity – whether it is for our next door neighbor or for someone across the sea.
We believe that Jesus has commissioned His Church to “go” and lay our lives down in loving service to a broken world. We are to love through compassionate – and often times, spontaneous – acts of kindness. Our calling is to reflect the very glory and nature of God to those whose image of Him may have been distorted through suffering and loss. All throughout the teachings of Jesus, it is simply impossible to miss the mandate that He has given to His followers: to show our love for Him by serving others in need.
In Hope Force International, our calling is simple: To equip willing responders and mobilize them onto pathways of service. Not all will be doctors and nurses, or even first responders such as firemen and paramedics, but everyone is needed. In our training, we emphasize “the ministry of presence” – walking sensitively and appropriately alongside those affected by crisis or disaster.
Why wait? You may find yourself in Haiti or another disaster zone in the weeks or months ahead. You can become involved with Hope Force today:
If you're interested in knowing how you can join us on the pathway of service, please contact us at
info@hopeforce.org or telephone 615-371-1271. We'd love to welcome you into our ranks!
In His service,
Jack P. Minton
President, CEO
Hope Force International
