• Incorporating the Advance Prayer Points (sample give in this document), begin now to mobilize your congregation in prayer. Use these prayer points in worship services, small groups, and various ministry areas (adult education, student ministries, children's ministries, etc.).
• Encourage your pastor to speak to the congregation during worship services or large-group gatherings.
• Equip your students and children ministry leaders to encourage and counsel with students and children, helping to dispel fear and offer hope. Use age-appropriate discussions with parental involvement.
• Hold "town meetings" with your congregation to discuss advance preparations.

Prepare your church facility as an emergency prayer shelter.

• Recruit prayer team members, pastors, and counselors to be on site in your church in the immediate hours following a disaster. Train and equip them in advance to pray and give spiritual encouragement to both believers and the un-churched.
• Gather spiritual resources to be given out (Bibles, tracts, etc.).
• Let other churches in your community know that your church will be open for prayer and other spiritual counseling.
• Be prepared to host a community-wide prayer service at short notice following a disaster (See Prayer Service sample in the Prayer section)

Prepare your congregation members to minister in their own communities, neighborhoods, and workplaces.

• Encourage congregation members to be praying for personal contacts. Now is the time for launching "Lighthouses" in neighborhoods and workplaces. For more resources, go to www.lighthousemovement.org.
• Encourage congregation members to organize "preparedness meetings" in their neighborhoods. These can be social gatherings designed to connect with neighbors in advance. Websites such as www.ready.gov can be a resource in hosting a neighborhood discussion time.
• Encourage congregation members to have their own family advance preparation in place so they can focus on helping others. If they are gathering food staples or water, encourage them to stock additional supplies.

Recruit volunteers to meet the needs of your community.

• Contact your city offices to find out what volunteer opportunities they might have.
• Visit the MN VOAD (sample state website) to connect volunteers with existing disaster organizations (www.mnvoad.org).
• Offer your church facilities to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Christian Emergency Network or other organizations as an emergency shelter.
• Use volunteers to gather basic necessities that your church can distribute in the surrounding neighborhood (canned goods, clothes, blankets, etc.).
• Assess the professional backgrounds and areas of expertise in your congregation (doctors, nurses, construction, counselors, intercessors, etc.) and develop a plan to mobilize them to help in the event of a disaster.

Helpful Websites and Contact Information:

Salvation Army: Website is www.salvationarmy.org. Find an organization in your region, along with ways to volunteer.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Government Guide. Website is www.ready.gov contains helpful information in making preparations according to government guidelines.

Emergency Prepardness Center. Website is www.areyouprepared.com. Site has emergency preparedness information and survival products.

Gospel Communications. Website is www.gospelcom.net. Site has a variety of Christian resources and an extensive listing of Christian ministries.

World Prayer Team. Website is www.worldprayerteam.org. The official site of the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, CO offers a different prayer focus each week, along with special national and international prayer alerts. You can submit prayer requests or join in a global prayer effort.