Dear Pastor,  

You are to be commended for being an able leader of the flock God has called you to shepherd. Your decision to take advantage of CEN’s courtesy offer of timely sermons indicates your desire to apply Biblical principles in preparing your congregation and church community for handling natural or man-made catastrophic events, should they happen. CEN counts it a privilege to pass along to you our expertise and guidance as you lead this nation to bring Glory to Our Lord in the midst of helplessness.

Heartbreaking pictures of September 11, 2001 , the Florida hurricanes and Hurricane Katrina– are reminders of how devastating unexpected disasters can be. With thousands of people killed, unaccounted for or left with absolute destruction—such trauma cannot be abated by relief organizations alone.

Earth-shattering catastrophes demand spiritual aid as well as physical. Fortunately, God has given us guidance for how we can prepare, cope and learn from when our world is threatened by forces of nature or powers of evil. The examples of Noah, Joseph, Moses and Esther in the CEN Sermon Series will encourage you and your congregation. In addition to the actual sermon manuscript, the related sermon helps will allow you to create a seamless worship service that will reinforce the principles of God’s Word.

Noah had no idea what lay in store for him and his family as he built the largest boat ever constructed hundreds of miles from the nearest seacoast. Joseph could never have predicted how his personal plight of injustice would pave the way for God to bring about a national famine relief program. Moses scratched his head in amazement when God told him what would befall those who failed to prepare for the angel of death. And likewise, Esther could not fully comprehend how God would act on her behalf and those of his people when she recognized the impending genocide of the Jews. But each soon discovered God had a plan to be followed.

So too, God has a plan for us to implement as we attempt to make sense of a world in which volcanoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and terror attacks threaten our sense of well-being. He has a plan to help us prepare for and survive uncertainty. He has a workable agenda before such tragedy strikes, while it’s happening and after the fact.

If you haven't already done so, I would like you to take a moment to register your information with Christian Emergency Network.  This will allow you to have access to all areas of this site as well as connect you into a network of other churches who are preparing their church for disasters.  Click on the "Registration " link in the upper left corner of the website to gain access to the complete 3 part 12 week sermon series. 

As you prayerfully prepare to lead your congregation through this series, may God instill within your heart a sense of courage and faith in his protection.

Sincerely,

 
Mary Marr
CEN Chairman and Founder

Helping Churches pray for, care for, and share God’s hope with victims of natural disasters or man made crises.

Register to gain access to the sermon series. 

Preview the Before it Happens" Sermon Series!