It is our belief that during an extreme emergency people will turn to the Church. They will be frightened, maybe hungry, and definitely seeking answers. People who would not normally come to church will be looking for a spiritual support that they would not have previously sought. This can only be provided by prepared Christians, who themselves are not frightened or hungry or seeking answers, and thus are able to provide eternal life-saving assistance and hope.

Unfortunately, Americans have been conditioned to believe it is the responsibility of government – local, state, and especially Federal – to respond to every crisis in our country. But the concept of “operational friction,” a factor in human activity that is caused by conditions or personalities which slow a process down, has been shown in the past by our governments during their response to emergencies. This leaves those affected often unable to properly deal with the crisis, and in some cases where they are completely unprepared, to even survive.

This is the Church’s opportunity to provide leadership: light in darkness, peace in fear, and order in confusion. However, unless each individual Christian is prepared with pre-positioned supplies, a pre-developed will to survive, an understanding of God’s views on catastrophes, and a willingness to share his or her faith, our assistance will be, at best, minimal.

One of the Church’s greatest opportunities to competently and compassionately provide aid – spiritual most of all – will be lost if we are not ready. That level of preparation, however, requires an investment of time, resources, and selfless risk, the courage to prepare.