Disaster Relief USA

Background: On November 4, 1993, the director of Men’s Ministries was nominated to serve as a member of the People to People Relief, USA Committee. The committee held its first meeting in Falcon, North Carolina, on November 23, 1993. The World Missions Board designated Rev. Mark Potter as chairman. As a result of that meeting, an existing disaster relief plan was revised and submitted to the executive director of World Missions. Over the years, additional changes have been made to better support the needs of conferences.

On January 1, 2006, Men’s Ministries assumed total oversight of DRUSA. Men’s Ministries is responsible for the implementation of disaster relief in keeping with the Disaster Relief USA Manual. The director serves as the national Disaster Relief coordinator. A Disaster Relief USA Committee, consisting of a representative from Women’s Ministries, Evangelism USA, and Royal Rangers, assists the director.

Men’s Ministries is responsible for raising funds for DRUSA through the conferences and congregations of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. They also receipt all contributions and record funds received and disbursed.

Consolidation: A standard operating procedure for action at the local, conference, and general levels was developed and issued as the Disaster Relief USA Manual in August 1995. This document provides detailed guidelines for operations at the conference and local church levels. Each conference is urged to prepare for disasters by appointing a Disaster Relief coordinator. The Disaster Relief USA Committee at the general level is required to meet periodically to review DRUSA procedures in support of conference needs.

Overview: In the event of a disaster, the conference bishop in the devastated area, with the help of his Disaster Relief coordinator, will assess the damages and determine the response required. When possible, the conference will provide support and assign disaster recovery teams to meet the needs. Additional teams from other conferences may be requested, but the overall responsibility remains within the targeted conference.

If the damage exceeds the conference’s ability to respond, the conference bishop will notify the national Disaster Relief coordinator. Based on their assessment of the damages, the national Disaster Relief coordinator will apprise the Presiding Bishop (General Superintendent) of the need. Then the Presiding Bishop will determine if the site should be declared a “disaster area” in need of assistance from Disaster Relief USA.

Once the Presiding Bishop approves the action, he will authorize the national Disaster Relief coordinator to collaborate the relief efforts with the conference bishop. Men’s Ministries will then share with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church family the need and opportunity to provide assistance. If necessary, the national Disaster Relief coordinator also will arrange additional support to assist and promote long-term relief.

Conferences and Local Churches: Guidelines for disaster planning, training, and implementation are included in the IPHC Disaster Relief USA Manual. Please contact the office of Men’s Ministries for more information.

Contributions: Make checks payable to IPHC Ministries, earmarked “Disaster Relief USA,” and send them to IPHC Resource Development Center, P.O. Box 12609, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City 73157-2609

For additional information about Disaster Relief USA, to request a Disaster Relief USA Manual, or get involved with a disaster relief recovery team, contact DRUSA through the office of Men’s Ministries.

Men’s Ministries
Bill C. Terry, Executive Director
P.O. Box 12609
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73157-2609
(405) 787-7110 ext: 3224
drusa@iphc.org