By Carl Stagner

Before Hurricanes Helene and Milton dominated the headlines across the United States and Canada, storms of strikingly similar severity were already wreaking havoc on other parts of the globe. Though known by other meteorological terminology, the tropical weather assaulting the Philippines has left whole communities underwater. Exacerbated by unrelenting monsoon rains, Typhoon Carina caused widespread devastation back in July, yet largely managed to fall under the radar of mainstream news coverage. Homes, businesses, schools, and churches—including Church of God facilities—were inundated with floodwaters downstream from the breached La Mesa Dam. While the Church of God in the US and Canada has disbursed initial funds to partner with the Church of God in the Philippines, pastors and ministry leaders on the ground are pleading for more help.

Especially in the city of Valenzuela, hope and help are the most prized commodities today. Leadership in the Church of God in the Philippines have striven to organize a variety of relief and restoration efforts on the heels of extensive cleanup; already hundreds of families have received disaster relief packages—kits containing supplies like mattresses, pillows, groceries, food, kitchen tools, laundry soap, school supplies, and children’s clothing. As a part of the aid distribution, Church of God leadership are ensuring Bibles get placed in the hands of all whose lives have been upended by the Typhoon floods. To meet the spiritual need in addition to the physical is a joy to these women and men of God.

Philippines Church of God disaster relief.

“Our distribution has a twofold purpose,” they’ve observed. “First, is to bring relief and comfort to those who were hit hard and, second, is to make known in the community that Jesus loves them through the church.  We are the hands and feet of Jesus in these flood-stricken neighborhoods. ”

It’s not been easy, but it’s been worth it. Many roads are washed out and impassable, but the Church of God in the Philippines are finding a way forward. Sometimes distribution can get chaotic and even dangerous, but these ministry leaders persist in the name of Jesus. They need our prayers. They need our financial support.

To come alongside and further equip vital relief responses such as typhoon relief in the Philippines, gifts can be made to Church of God Ministries Disaster Relief. 100 percent of your donation goes to assist Church of God communities affected by disaster globally. For current disaster information, click here.

Feature (top) photo: Philippines stock image.