True to the prophecies of the last days, we have seen an increase in the number of natural disasters that have stricken our world.  In the midst of lives and property that are often lost, God has used these difficult situations as opportunities to reach and impact souls for eternity as missionaries and churches have compassionately come alongside those who are hurting.  As a Fellowship of churches, we are strategically aligned to equip BBFI missionaries and (US) state leaders with resources to do so.  The BBFI World Mission Service Center is prepared, and has on a number of occasions, to assess and disperse resources as needed in the case of worldwide natural disasters.  Below is a few excerpts from the Mission Office Standard Operating Procedure in the case of natural disasters.

Strategy and Scope

It is the desire of the Mission Office of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International to facilitate the directing of funds which have been received toward those who have suffered a substantial natural disaster which has occurred either internationally or stateside.  It is our intent to provide support for missionaries, churches, and their pastors through financial aid and coordinated efforts of the Baptist Bible Fellowship in order to stabilize basic needs and subsequent recovery.  The scope of the response will be established upon request of the resident missionary, or state fellowship chairman, and approved by the BBFI Director of Missions and BBFI President.

Response Plan

INTERNATIONAL (stateside has a similar process)

Missions Office Director:

• Contacts President and 1^st Vice President of the Fellowship
• Contacts Field Representative and Sending Churches for missionaries in the affected country
• A designated missionary near the impacted area is selected to:
  • Spearhead the assessment
  • Request relief funds
  • Submit subsequent reporting
• Additional missionaries are selected outside the affected area who can assist in getting supplies into the region
• Create the notification and appeal for help from supporting churches of the BBFI. Requests will be such that donations are to be made to the general fund of the Disaster Relief in order to appropriate funds as needed.

Missions Office Associate Director over Missionary Care:

• Establishes contact with missionaries from impacted area who will initiate damage assessment and relief needed
• Ongoing assessments and reporting are transitioned to Project Manager

Missions Office Project Manager:

• Generates communication with Fellowship churches
• Launches information on Mission Office website about ways to contribute to Disaster Relief
• Oversees incoming funds and reporting from/to interested churches
• Follows up on damage assessment throughout each phase
• Fields calls and provides ongoing communication for status updates

Evaluation and Accountability

The designated missionary (international) or a local pastor (stateside) will be asked to provide documentation, including photos and/or video footage via email for all monies requested, including how funds will be used, who are they being given to, how many will it serve, and how the Mission Office may provide additional assistance.  Disaster Relief funds are made available to the missionary in the order of priority:  1) Repairs to BBFI missionary homes, autos, etc. 2) Repairs for BBFI church buildings that were damaged 3) For the needs of church families and national pastors. 4) For new ministry opportunities generated by the Natural Disaster. For international disasters, the designated missionary will also be asked to provide supporting receipts and details of purchases made during that event on their quarterly report.

For questions about any of the above, please contact Jon Konnerup (Mission Director), Steve Bender (Associate Mission Director), or Jill Wolf (Project Manager) in the Mission Office.