05/30/2026
"DISASTROUS MINISTRY" by Dr. Rob Burdette
In 2004, Thailand was hit with a record-size tsunami that claimed just under 10,000 lives. Many of your IMB missionaries were on the scene afterwards to provide help and hope to those who were hurting and grieving. When I began my service there almost a decade later in 2013, the tsunami was still very relevant in the minds of the people. I had a chilling conversation one day with some of the local survivors about that dark time. They shared about the devastation and personal horror that affected every family. But something else also stood out in their memory. They remembered, as they searched through the ruin and debris for their loved ones on the shoreline, that only the Christians came to help them. Their Buddhist and Muslim neighbors would only look on from a distance. You see, only Christians have a theology that leads us to participate in disaster relief.
All other religious systems and philosophies only see disaster as divine judgment, deserved karma for something you have done, or random chance in a world of chaos. But the Bible shows us a God who is completely sovereign over the universe and all the events that take place in it, yet also a God who cares for the suffering. This issue of theodicy, also called the problem of evil and suffering, has occupied theologians and scholars for thousands of years. Yet there is one unshakable truth: God can be found and glorified in the midst of suffering.
In John 9, Jesus’ disciples see a man born blind and ask Him, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” They had this ancient, yet incorrect, belief that his condition must solely be because he deserved it. Yet Jesus replies, “Neither, but so that the works of God might be displayed in him!” Jesus then heals the man and kicks off a series of events that would lead to the whole town acknowledging the work of God and lead to this man’s salvation as he confesses Jesus as Lord.
Human suffering and need provide us an avenue to show God’s love to the hurting and demonstrate how our God is different from all the others. Our willingness to reach out to those affected by disaster serves as a living testimony of God’s love for them. I am constantly impressed by our local churches and disaster relief teams for charging into difficult situations to help those affected by storms, tornadoes, floods, fires, and the like. They are present to help in practical ways with great spiritual impact. They give of their time and resources at no cost to help those whom many will only stare at from a distance.
This incarnational ministry is emblematic of our faith and the Cross that we hold up. For we believe that our salvation was bought through the Son of God, who came into our evil world, lived and ministered to us in our pain, and ultimately suffered and died for us. Jesus doesn’t call us to something He Himself did not do, but calls us to take up our cross and follow Him.
Perhaps God is calling you or your church to get involved in disaster relief ministry. If so, we would love to help get you equipped and connected. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) if you would like to know more about getting involved in disaster relief ministry.
Photo: Shutterstock. Frans Delian
