Dear Pastor and Mission Leaders,

Greetings in Christ.  We have all been watching what has happened in Texas and in Florida.  It is hard to imagine the extent of the flooding.  What can we do as churches and as individuals?  Much of my information comes from the efca.org website that is highlighting the Hurricane Harvey and Irma ministry opportunities.  I have also added information from EFCA Crisis Response staff.  Their urgent focus now is Texas.

TEAM NEEDS:

• EFCA Crisis Response still needs skilled workers at Columbia, SC and at Denham Spring, LA.  These skilled workers could be finish workers, and roofers, especially for Denham Springs.  For information about serving there, please email respond@efca.org  They would like to finish at these locations soon so their staff can go to Texas.
•  EFCA Crisis Response is starting to take teams to Texas beginning on September 17^th.  These teams need to be limited from 15 to 30 people.  They are still working on housing.  EFCA Crisis Response is now working in Corpus Christi and soon in Houston.  Teams will be working through EFCA churches in southern Texas.  They will work in Rockport and other coastal cities.
• The crisis response registration fee is $275 per person.  Consider putting a team together in your church or with other EFC churches in your area.  There is also the need for long-term workers to serve in Texas. 
• EFCA Crisis Response is currently doing initial assessment for Florida.  Special areas of focus are Naples, Fort Myers and Gainsville.  With current flooding and infrastructure needs still unknown go to https://go.efca.org/resources/announcement/hurricane-irma-response for updates for serving.

DONATIONS NEEDED:

• THE EFCA Crisis Response hopes to raise $1,000,000 to help with initial recovery efforts.  Checks can be sent to EFCA, Attn:  Donor Services, 901 E 78^th St. Minneapolis, MN  55420.  In the memo line write:  Hurricane Response #3969.
• Tools, clean-up kits, bedding, sheetrock and other items are listed on their website.  https://go.efca.org/hurricane-harvey-response

PRAYER REQUESTS: Taken from the EFCA website

• For peace and provision for the many families experiencing flooding who attend EFCA churches in the Houston area, as well as friends and neighbors.
• For local EFCA recovery and gospel outreach efforts to reach the hurting and the lost.
• For effective service and outreach opportunities to the city’s many immigrants and refugees, as Houston is the most racially and ethnically diverse city of the 10 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.
• For the Church across the country to mobilize people and resources for a sustained, long term-response.
• For the safety of those impacted by Hurricane Irma.
• For churches and families affected by this hurricane as they face the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
• For ReachGlobal leadership as they assess the storm’s impact and determine next steps.

For more information and details on how you can help, contact crisisresponse@efca.org.