If a crisis arises...

By Omar Rodriguez

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At least 42 dead, 115,000 homeless in Brazil flooding

By the CNN Wire Staff, June 22, 2010 2:52 p.m. EDT

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As Crisis Manager for Latin America, several times during the day, I check news sources to see what’s generally going on in the world. The above headline from CNN greeted me just a few minutes ago – as it did people in the National Office, our supporting churches and family. Two questions immediately come to mind. First, are our missionaries affected in some way? Second, is the EFCA doing anything to help?


If the headline seems urgent or severe enough, someone in leadership might shortly start receiving notes from some interested party with the above questions. While it is impossible to stay on top of every crisis situation, we do need to be aware that due to global communications, crisis events are broadcasted quickly and interest is generated surprisingly fast.


For those of you on the field, what CNN may consider a crisis may not at all rank as such in your perception. But, if you are sending off emergency prayer requests to your supporters regarding an emergency situation or people are writing to you about what’s going on, it’s probably a good trigger that you should inform myself or your team leader.


Crisis events are not limited to personal emergencies but also include incidents where ReachGlobal might be affected or might have the opportunity to respond to serve. At the very least, we want to be proactive about generating concerted prayer for those who are affected. If at all possible, we also want to take the opportunities placed before us to reach out to our fellow believers and those without Christ who may need help. Proactive communication to your team leader or to me will greatly help us to respond to selected emergencies in a coordinated and timely manner.


If you are unable to contact your immediate supervisor, please contact me at Omar.Rodriguez@efca.org or you can call me at my cell phone at 714-930-6451 (24/7). If necessary, call collect.