Here are three ways that you can be an agent of compassion in the name of Christ in response to disasters in Michigan, other parts of the United States, and worldwide.
GLENN M. WAGNER
Michigan Conference Communications
Ready or not, natural disasters happen. These tragedies dominate the headlines for a few news cycles, yet they leave a lasting impact on personal lives. Recent natural disasters in the United States include the devastating wildfires that raged for three weeks in January 2025 in Southern California, displacing 150,000 people and causing an estimated $150 billion in damages. Hurricane Helene, which brought destruction for four days in September 2024, disrupted the lives of 4.6 million people and caused an estimated $47 billion in damage across 16 states.
On March 17, 2025, the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering reported that the United States had experienced 47 tornadoes in the previous 48 hours.
Following disasters like these, needs are immediate and often require outside assistance. Mobilizing adequate emergency response can take longer. Clean-up and ongoing relief can take years and continue long after cameras leave and public interest wanes.
The most recent federal disaster declaration for flooding in Michigan followed severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding centered in three regions: Metro Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. These storms and floods, which occurred from August 24-26, 2023, adversely impacted the lives of 150,000 Michigan residents, with 120,000 living in Metro Detroit. The federal government did not issue a disaster declaration to distribute relief funding to assist victims until February 8, 2024. Local talent and resources have been helping on location from the very beginning.
Now, more than 570 days after the storm, relief work continues to aid those impacted by this federally declared disaster. Many still live with undesired sewage and mold in their basements, and unmet needs for victims totaling millions of dollars remain.
The Gospel of Matthew reminds us of an eternal truth about Jesus and his priorities. In the Great Commission in Matthew 25, Jesus teaches that as we have done it to the least of these, we have done it also to him. Jesus sides with victims of life’s tragedies and blesses those who act with compassion for those in need.
United Methodists continue to be engaged in meaningful ways in offering compassionate assistance to victims of natural disasters. Here are three ways that you can be an agent of compassion in the name of Christ in response to disasters in Michigan, other parts of the United States, and worldwide.
UMCOR
The first way you can make a difference in disaster relief efforts is to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) with your prayers and financial contributions.
According to their website, UMCOR, a division of the General Board of Global Ministries, “is a humanitarian organization that helps alleviate human suffering, one of the two main goals of Global Ministries. . . . UMCOR’s work is carried out by providing relief and assistance in response to natural and human-made disasters and supporting programs in the areas of migration, health, food security and environmental sustainability.”
UMCOR has earned respect for being one of the first organizations to arrive at a disaster and one of the last to leave. UMCOR’s contributions to disaster relief in Michigan continue to be of vital importance to relief efforts.
UMCOR Sunday will be held this year in most United Methodist congregations on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Last year, this offering raised over $2 million in support of UMCOR’s global relief work. This offering covers overhead administrative expenses, guaranteeing that 100% of all additional funds raised to address relief efforts throughout the year are devoted to disaster relief.
Gifts to UMCOR can be given and designated through your local United Methodist church and contributed directly to UMCOR online. Click here to donate now.
After the Storm
A second way your valued help is needed is by supporting the Michigan Conference’s long-term disaster ministry, After the Storm, with your prayers, tax-deductible financial gifts, and volunteer service.
After the Storm is a nonprofit organization launched by the Michigan Conference in 2022 in response to a flood in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. That same year, they also responded to a tornado in Gaylord, working with more than 100 families to rebuild and recover. Click here to learn more.
This Michigan Conference ministry quickly became the expert in long-term disaster response and recovery in Michigan, trusted by federal, state, and local partners.
Before that, the Michigan Conference had assisted with long-term disaster recovery projects from Houghton/Hancock in the Upper Peninsula to the Great Lakes Bay region, including recovery from a major dam breach in Midland.
Executive Director Nancy Money lives in Midland, Michigan, and brings to her leadership a deep faith in Christ and years of training and experience in community service with persons in need. Her previous work as a disaster recovery coordinator for the Michigan Conference helped her to recognize and accept her calling to this vital ministry.
Money leads a team of dedicated case workers who help identify, prioritize, and work with victims of disasters to address their recovery needs. She is proud that After the Storm has helped thousands who have come to them for assistance. No one seeking their help is ever charged for After the Storm’s service.
The size of After the Storm’s staff ebbs and flows with needs and has fluctuated between 4 and 50. They have helped and continue to assist thousands in Michigan in recovering from floods, storms, and other natural disasters. After the Storm has the experience and capabilities to serve in disaster recovery across the entire state of Michigan. They currently work from offices in Metro Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids as they continue to assist with clean-up and restoration from Michigan flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds.
After the Storm is sustained importantly by prayers for disaster victims, volunteers who wish to share their time and talents with hands-on relief and clean-up efforts, funding that comes from many organizations, including local Community Foundations, area United Way donations, UMCOR, individuals, churches, various local, state, and federal government grants, and the Michigan Conference. Click here to donate to this vital ministry.
Nancy Money reports that volunteers willing to share their expertise and time for disaster flood clean-up and restoration are still needed. Skills in carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing are especially welcome. Interested volunteers may contact her at nmoney@afterthestormmi.org.
Money also recognizes the value of the educational and vocational training internship opportunities in case management that After the Storm has provided for students from Wayne State University and Michigan State University. She dreams of expanding these learning connections with professional and academic training institutions in the future.
Michigan Conference Disaster Response Ministry/ERT Trainings
A third way you can help offer the love of Jesus to persons experiencing disaster is to take advantage of training offered by the Michigan Conference Disaster Response Ministry.
This ministry offers helpful information on the Michigan Conference website on how you can be involved in effective disaster response. It also offers day-long learning and certification opportunities to become an UMCOR-certified Early Response Team (ERT) volunteer.
The following is information about the next ERT training event for those who wish to be certified through UMCOR for early disaster response deployment. This next training event is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pre-registration by May 1 is required.
With a badge, T-shirt, and manual, you and a team of at least seven ERT volunteers will be ready when a request comes for assistance from the Michigan Conference Disaster Response Coordinator or one of the other annual conferences in The United Methodist Church.
Early Response Team certification
Saturday, May 10, 2025
9:00 am to 5:00 pm, check-in at 8:30 am
Cornerstone Church, 1675 84th St. SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
Cost: $35 covers materials, lunch, T-shirt. Payment is due at the door. (Make checks payable to “Michigan Conference Disaster Response”)
Instructors: Bob Freysinger, Senior Michigan ERT Trainer, and Jody Pratt, Volunteer in Mission Coordinator
To register or for more information, contact Jody Pratt at prattgji09@gmail.com or 616-292-4908. Churches interested in hosting their own ERT training in the future should also contact Jody.
When natural disasters happen, lives are upended, and losses are real. Anger, grief, and despair are understandable responses to tragedy. However, trauma is also a time and place for Jesus Christ to be made known through those who respond after the storm by sharing Jesus’ sacrificial love and grace.
Thank you for your valued and continuing commitment to help.
Last Updated on March 24, 2025