None of us can seem to escape the images emerging from Haiti. Stories fill newspaper columns and magazine articles. Every cable news channel continues to run hour after hour of programming dedicated to this tragic, life-altering event.

If you are like me, you have been filled with so many emotions. Pain. Sadness. Frustration. But the most difficult feeling to deal with has been helplessness. Here I am a world away. What can I possibly do to make a difference to those suffering in Haiti?

 Here are four things that you and your church can do-RIGHT NOW.

 Pray. CBF has personnel on site in the affected areas. Other logistical personnel and partner organizations who will be assisting with relief coordination are enroute. Pray for these brave individuals that daily struggle to be the living presence of Christ. Limited food and water supplies, fuel shortages, and dangerous roadways, make their work difficult at best. Pray that God will strengthen them in the presence of these obstacles and give them rejuvenating rest when possible. For updated prayer requests, visit www.thefellowship.info

Give. Throughout the day yesterday and today I have participated in conference calls about this endeavor. Over and over the question came up, “What can be done right now?” “What is the MOST immediate need?” The answer is funding. CBF is committed to this response. Cooperative Baptists have already directed over $15,000 to this effort. For these gifts, we are grateful. Please continue your gracious support. You can imagine how expensive a response like this will be. If you and your congregation would like to participate in this manner, please follow this link to our secure giving site. All monies designated for Haiti Earthquake Response will be used for that purpose.

Go. You have seen the images. Haiti is still a virtual war zone. Many areas remain under martial law. We do want to offer response opportunities for short term workers. We will offer response opportunities for short term workers. However, we will do so in a timely and safe manner. So, what can you do? You can let us hear from you by completing a Disaster Response Application. Follow this link to the online application. To date responders from all over the country have taken a few moments to complete an application. We have heard from surgeons, nurses, construction workers, crisis care chaplains and language specialists, just to name a few. Here is how the online process works-

1.) an application is completed and submitted

2.) applicants are sent an email confirming their submission

3.) applications are received and compiled into a master database

4.) as viable opportunities become apparent, the database of applicants can be quickly searched based on skill sets, dates of availability

5.) applicants are contacted and service assignments begin

Share. Hopefully many of you will check this blog tonight or in the morning prior to church. Take the information that you have found here and share it. Share the prayer requests with your congregations. Consider establishing a special offering for the response effort. Challenge your friends to take a few moments and complete an application. We are called the Fellowship because we believe that God’s greatest gift was meant to be shared. Stand with us as we stand beside our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Help us share the Hope that was once shared with each of us.

Follow CBF’s ongoing response at www.thefellowship.info