Natural disasters, as the name implies, are acts of nature that are usually beyond normal proportions and cause catastrophic impacts. Examples include floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, mudslides, avalanches, droughts, and wildfires. History is replete with natural disasters worldwide. In this article, we will focus on natural disasters that have occurred in our African soils and what role Christians can play during such times.
History
In 2023, Africa experienced several disasters in different countries. Libya was hit by floods in September that killed more than 11,000 people. On September 8th, Morocco experienced an earthquake that killed 2,946 people and destroyed more than 50,000 homes. Algeria was struck by wildfires in July and August that killed around 34 people and displaced more than 1,500 people. In Mozambique, a cyclone left 679 dead, while Congo and Rwanda dealt with floods that ravished and displaced many. The list is endless.
Kenya, during March and April, has seen many people lose their lives and countless others displaced from their homes. In such moments of adversity, believers’ role becomes crucial and a testament to our strength and unity. As individual saints (1 Corinthians 12:27) and a local gathering, the Church can provide a beacon of hope and comfort, reaching out with the love of Christ during these trying times. Our responsibility extends beyond prayer. We must give practical support to those in need. We can do this by setting up temporary shelters, organizing food and clothing drives, and offering counselling services. These are a few tangible ways we can make a difference in the lives of those affected.
Spiritual Responsibility
The Church should first engage in the only thing for which the Church alone exists—the spiritual well-being of those affected by disasters. This refers to providing spiritual guidance, comfort, and support to those suffering. It may not seem practical to pray while others drown in dire situations. However, it still is the single most sensible thing to do, to run to the eternal One who calms storms and causes the sea billows to stop. The world has had natural disasters since the Fall of man (Genesis 3), when Adam and Eve were cut off from the Garden of Eden. Since then, we have had droughts, earthquakes and floods, and the list is endless. In all these instances, we see the people turning to God for help because that is his promise for those who call on him (2 Chronicles 7:14). Let us not underestimate the power of prayer in such tumultuous times; it is our direct line to God, our only source of hope and strength.
Natural disasters bring a lot of anxiety and a great deal of psychological turmoil. But in the face of these challenges, we are reminded by the scriptures to fight against anxiety through prayer and supplication (Philippians 4:6-7). When we unite in prayer on behalf of others, we go to the One who alone can heal their innermost being, petitioning for his mercies to be upon the hurt and wounded. Paul was known to pray incessantly for the churches in his letters (Ephesians 1:15-23, Colossians 1:9-14), and we ought to borrow a leaf from him. In times of turmoil, we must come together to pray for the afflicted. Together, our prayers can move mountains.
Social Responsibility
Secondly, after saying amen to the prayers made on behalf of the afflicted, the Christian must take the next step and get practical in affecting people’s lives. Our acts of love compound and bring meaning to our spiritual engagements. John says we need to show pity to those in need around us (1 John 3:17-18). Hypocrisy in the Christian’s heart is seeing someone in need and choosing not to do anything practical to aid their situation. Though it might sound ‘deep’ to say that we have prayed and fasted for those afflicted by natural disasters, Scripture tells us that depth of heart shows not only in prayer but in acting out the prayers (James 2:15-17). Your practical actions can bring hope and relief to those in need.
May we readily unite as brothers and sisters, congregations, and the Church to pray and take action. We can provide food and clothing and put up rescue centres for the affected. We can also pool resources to assist in medical campaigns and other available avenues. We can also take time to visit casualties in hospitals or those in displaced camps while sharing the hope of the Gospel. When we do this, we obey our Lord and Saviour, Christ (Matthew 25:31-40). If there is ever a time that the Church needs to step out of the four walls, it is during such calamities. Go where the afflicted are and be Christ’s hands and feet. Remember, we are stronger together, and our collective actions can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected.
In the book of Acts, we see how the early Church in Antioch took it upon themselves to be socially helpful to the Judeans during the famine (Acts 11:27-29). Each one decided to send support according to their ability. Paul and Barnabas delivered the collection to the leaders in Jerusalem. It is, therefore, not a foreign practice for the Church to come together and support those caught up in calamities.
Economic Responsibility
All the efforts mentioned above have financial implications. For the Church to receive all these gifts to support the needy, the members must have spent cash to purchase these goods they brought together. That is good, but it still does not help us think about the local Church as an organization. What is the role of the organization called the Church (with treasurers and accounts) in impacting the affected communities?
Any objective and functional church has an accounts system that helps them be good resource stewards. This is not a foreign concept in Christianity since Judas was involved in accounting to some extent (John 12:6). For most churches, some ministries act as the arms and legs of the Church. These ministries will all have budgets allocated to them for their execution. The Church does well in supporting the ministries in this way, but much more, the Church does well in setting aside a kitty or a fund that is purposefully meant for social aid to those affected by disasters. Does your Church have such kind of a fund? Ask about it in the next AGM.
The Call of Christ
Jesus’ call in this regard is seen in Matthew 25:31-46 where he paints a picture of the conversations of judgment day. He points to social services done by the saints for those in need. Jesus says that as often as the saints and the Church step out in purposeful giving and assistance to those in need, they are doing that to him directly. We may not see him physically in the hospital bed, but everyone who is there is still made in the image of God. So, it is not a question of whether the Church should consider this part of their church budget and plan; it is rather an expectation from our Master. We can do all other fun activities, such as camps and fellowships. However, if we are not reaching out to support those stricken by natural disasters, we are not fulfilling the mandate of Christ for the Church and, therefore, must reconsider our ways.
Reaching to the souls affected by disasters is the practical expression of our faith, for the Lord looks at the heart, but the world looks at what the Church is doing. Matthew 5:13-16 tells us that we ought to let our light shine so that men can see the good works and glorify our Father in heaven. May we rise to the occasion quickly when called upon.
References
Lex Luthor: To Be God – S. W. Ellenwood. http://www.swellenwood.com/thoughts/lex-luthor-to-be-god
Love one another as Christ loved us – Christian Topics & Theology – Crossmap Communities – Christian Forums. https://communities.crossmap.com/t/love-one-another-as-christ-loved-us/5642
