Ministry Resources to Serve Victims of Disasters and Other Types of Crisis
God might want to use you to bring comfort or relief to those experiencing grief or devastation due to disasters or tragedies that have affected them. These resources can assist you in the process of reaching out with His love and compassion to those affected by some sort of crisis whether that be the victims themselves or First Responders. You'll also find resources for the Church during the pandemic.
Click on a tab below to view a list of resources to help in these difficult situations.
While seeking to choose doctrinally sound resources, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, links go to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales. Links open in new pages to keep the list available.
General
About Crisis Intervention
Articles:
- What Constitutes a Crisis?
- Precipitating events & resources to help
- Intensifying factors in a crisis
Books:
- Crisis Counseling: A Guide for Pastors and Professionals) by Scott Floyd
- The Complete Guide to Crisis & Trauma Counseling: What to Do and Say When It Matters Most! by Dr. H. Norman Wright
How to Help People in Crisis
Articles:
- How to help people in crisis
- How to Help a Group Member Facing a Crisis
- What if the person is depressed or suicidal?
Books:
- Comforting Children in Crisis by Group Publishing
- Comforting Friends in Crisis (Adults) by Group Publishing
- Comforting Teens in Crisis by Group Publishing
- Comforting Women in Crisis by Group Publishing
Answering the Questions: Where is God? Why?
Articles:
- 10 Biblical Reasons God Allows Suffering
- Death and Suffering Questions and Answers
- Don't Just Survive, Thrive: Need for Perspective
- Good God - Bad World? How Can That Be?
- Jesus’ Own Words About Trouble in This World
Books:
- A Grace Disguised by Gerald Sittser
- A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis
- Disappointment with God by Philip Yance
- If God Is Good . . . Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn
- Lifelines for Tough Times: God's Presence and Help When You Hurt by Mike Fabarez
- Looking Up When Life is Looking Down by Beth Moore
- Reaching for the Invisible God: What Can We Expect to Find? by Philip Yancey
- Second Guessing God: Hanging On When You Can't See His Plan by Brian Jones
- Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy by Larry Crabb
- Where is God When It Hurts by Philip Yancey
- Why? Trusting God When You Don't Understand by Anne Graham Lotz
- When Tragedy Strikes by Charles Stanley
Reactions to Things Going Wrong
Articles:
Disasters
People affected by natural disasters need to know people care. Perhaps we can't all help by going to assist clean-up and rebuilding but certainly we can all help in at least one of the following ways.
Help by Being Prepared
Articles:
- 5 Tips to Prepare for a Natural Disaster
- 5 Things Churches Need To Do During Natural Disasters
- Building Your Church Emergency Plan
- Tips to Prepare for Facility Emergencies
- Tips to Prepare for Natural Disasters
Books:
- Disaster Ministry Handbook by Jamie D. Aten, David Boan
Help People Affected by Natural Disasters by Giving
Help By Praying
Articles:
Books:
- Certain Peace in Uncertain Times: Embracing Prayer in an Anxious Age by Shirley Dobson
Help By Serving
Articles:
- Comforting those grieving their loss (general)
- Providing practical assistance (general)
- Helping people process what has happened (general)
- Coming along side of those in crisis (general)
- Is Your Church Ready to be a First Responder?
Help With Preaching, Teaching, Devotionals
Resources:
- Walk the Walk Even When It Hurts Devotional from Ministry Tools Resource Center
- God in the face of disaster, Psalm 66 - Sermon
Help Children & Youth Process Natural Disasters and the Trauma It Brings
Articles:
- 7 Biblical Truths to Teach Children about Disease and Disasters
- 7 Ways to Bring your Children Peace After a Natural Disaster
- 8 Things You Should and Shouldn’t Say When Responding to Disaster
- Are You Disaster-Prepared?
- Do Your Teachers Know How to Help Students in Crisis?
- Helping Children Deal with Tragedy
- Helping Children Cope With Trauma: 8 Important Steps
- Talking to Children About Disaster - a disaster that happened somewhere else
- Talking to Children About Disaster - directly effected by a disaster
- Talking With Kids About Disasters
Books:
- The Youth Worker's Guide for Helping Teenagers in Crisis by Rich Van Pelt, Jim Hancock
Training for Bible Teachers:
Christian Relief Agencies
First Responders
Let's not forget to show our appreciation to the First Responders who risk their lives during these tragedies to help others.
Articles:
Bibles:
- Answering the Call New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs - Help and Hope for Firefighters
- Firefighter's Bible, Red Simulated Leather (HCSB)
- Law Enforcement Officer's Bible
- The Peacemakers Police Officer New Testament, softcover NIV
Gifts:
- American Flag Lapel Pins
- First Responders Ornament
- Gifts for Emergency First Responders
- Gifts for Firefighters
- Gifts for Medical Workers (nurses, doctors, medical staff)
- Gifts for Police Officers
- Gifts for Telecommunicator Dispatchers (911)
- Novelty Items: Blue Line for Police
- Novelty Items: Thin Red Line for Firefighters
Organizations:
Pandemic
Resources listed here primarily relate the Church during a pandemic.
General Info
- CDC: Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
- Communicating with Your Church About Covid-19
- Coronavirus and Christ
- How Should Christians Talk About the COVID-19 Pandemic?
- Responding to Pandemics: 4 Lessons from Church History
- Restrictions on Religious Freedom During the Coronavirus Crisis
- What Should Churches Do Now that Covid-19 is Spiking Again?
Children's Ministry in Light of the Pandemic
- 7 Biblical Truths to Teach Children about Disease and Disasters
- 12 things to consider when reopening your children’s ministry
- Answering Kids' Questions About Why God is Allowing the Coronavirus to Happen
Leading During a Pandemic
- 5 Ways the Current Crisis is Accelerating the Arrival of the Future Church
- 8 Ways to Lead in the New Digital Default Church
- Crisis Leadership: Christian Leadership and the Coronavirus Epidemic
- How to Lead Through Rapid Unexpected Change: Responding to Covid-19
Praying During a Pandemic
Reaching Out to Serve Others During a Pandemic
- 12 Ways to Love Your Community through Covid-19
- BLESS Method: Meeting Core Needs
- How to Encourage Someone Affected by COVID-19
Reopening our Churches
- 3 Principles for Guiding a Divided Church Through Re-Entry
- 4 Phases for an Orderly Return to Church
- 4 Theological Questions Your Church Has about Regathering
- 5 Steps to Bringing Back Your Volunteers
- 6 Needs to Anticipate When Your Church Begins to Gather Again
- 6 Ways to Respond When People Disagree with Your Church Reopening Plan
- 8 Questions Your Church Needs to Ask Before Reopening
- 12 Post-Pandemic Questions Every Worship Leader Should Be Asking
- 24 Questions Your Church Must Answer Before Welcoming People Back
- Guidelines for Reopening Your Church
- Key Takeaways from the CDC Guidelines for Church Reopenings
- The Ready to Open Church Checklist
Violence
Crime
- God and the Victim by Lisa Barnes Lampman, Editor
- Helping a Neighbor in Crises by Lisa Barnes Lampman, Editor
School Violence
Help children, youth, and parents process school violence and shootings.
Articles:
- Helping Children Process the School Shooting in ...
- How Could a Loving God ... ?
- How to Talk With Kids About Shootings
- How to Talk with Your Kids and Teenagers About School Shootings
- School Violence: Can You Keep Your Kids Safe?
- The Church's Response to Evil Acts
- The "missing link" to school violence?
Books:
- Protecting Your Child through Prayer by Karen Scalf Linamen
- No More Victims Booklet by Frank Peretti
Training for Bible Teachers:
May the God of all comfort work through His people to reach into lives with His love and grace in their time of great need.