“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
— Psalm 46:1
Look for the Helpers – and Be the Helpers
During times of crisis, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the destruction around us. Fred Rogers famously shared the advice his mother gave him as a child:
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Over the past few days, we’ve seen that firsthand. Firefighters, first responders, neighbors, churches, schools, nonprofits, and volunteers have stepped up in remarkable ways.
As a church, we want to not only look for the helpers, but be the helpers for our community, while seeking God, who is our greatest help in times of trouble.
Where We Are Right Now
We are still in the early stages of disaster response. The emergency is still unfolding, and while some needs are immediately obvious, others won’t become clear for weeks or even months.
Relief organizations, government agencies, churches, schools, and nonprofits are working together to coordinate an effective response. Major relief organizations are already in Spokane or on their way.
This isn’t the time for everyone to try to do everything. It’s a time for each of us to faithfully do what God has equipped and positioned us to do.
At Liferoads, we want to respond to the needs that are in front of us now while also being prepared for needs that will emerge in the weeks and months ahead.
What Liferoads Is Doing Now
Pastor Donnie and Pam have been participating in community emergency-response meetings. We’ve connected with Foursquare Disaster Relief, Spokane Public Schools, the Innovia Foundation, and others to understand what is already being done and where additional help is most needed.
Liferoads is also participating in a communication network with local churches that is sharing real-time fire-related needs and opportunities to help.
As specific needs arise where our church can make a meaningful difference, we will communicate those opportunities to the Liferoads family.
Our Plan
1. Pray
Christians are prayer “first responders.” Before we know exactly what to do, we can pray.
Would you consider setting aside 5–10 minutes each day to pray for our community?
Please pray for:
- Firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly.
- Those who have lost homes and property.
- Those who remain evacuated.
- Children processing fear, uncertainty, displacement, and loss.
- Wisdom for local and state leaders coordinating the response.
- Relief organizations that are here or on their way.
- Local churches seeking to care for people experiencing unimaginable loss.
- Riverside Real Life as they respond to the loss of their church building and care for members of their congregation who have also been affected by the fires.
- Opportunities for the Church throughout Spokane to demonstrate the love of Christ.
- Justice and protection for vulnerable people against those who might seek to take advantage of a crisis.
- Favorable weather and an end to the fires.
2. Care for Our Church Family
The fires are directly affecting people within our own Liferoads family.
We have:
- Firefighters who have been working tirelessly to protect our community.
- Families who have been evacuated.
- Families who have opened their homes to evacuees.
- People connected to friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors who have experienced significant loss.
We have been in contact with those we know have had to evacuate, and we are thankful that, as of this update, we are not aware of anyone in the Liferoads family who has lost their home, although some of our people remain evacuated.
If you have been affected by the fires and we have somehow missed connecting with you, please reach out and let us know. We want to care for our church family well.
3. Serve Where We Can Make the Greatest Difference
We don’t want to duplicate work that other organizations are already doing well. Instead, we want to pay attention to the places where God has already given Liferoads relationships, resources, and opportunities to serve.
For us, that includes:
- Our local schools. We have an especially close relationship with Stevens Elementary, and many teachers and staff within Spokane Public Schools live in areas affected by the fires, including Indian Trail.
- Other local churches. We are staying connected with churches throughout Spokane so that we can respond together when needs arise.
- Practical needs that might otherwise slip through the cracks. As we hear about specific needs that fit the resources and abilities of our congregation, we will look for ways to respond.
- Longer-term recovery. Some of the greatest needs may not become apparent until weeks or months after the immediate emergency has passed. We want to preserve some of our capacity to help when those needs emerge.
4. Look for Opportunities to Help
You don’t have to wait for Liferoads to organize something before you serve.
Look around you. Do you have an evacuated friend? A coworker whose family has been affected? A firefighter in your neighborhood? Someone who needs a meal, a place to stay, childcare, transportation, help with animals, or simply someone to listen and pray with them?
Look for the needs around you and respond where you can.
Many of you are already doing exactly that.
There are also organizations currently looking for volunteers. Crisis Response International is one organization coordinating volunteers for the Spokane fire response:
Crisis Response International – Spokane Fire Relief
https://www.criout.com/deployment/spokanewafirerelief/
5. Work Together
Liferoads is committed to working alongside local churches, Spokane Public Schools, relief organizations, and community partners rather than unnecessarily duplicating efforts.
If You Have Been Affected by the Fires
Shadle Park High School is serving as a Disaster Assistance Center. This provides a central location where people affected by the fires can connect with government agencies and organizations involved in the recovery process.
Additional community resources can be found at:
Spokane Community Resources
spokanecommunityresources.org
The site can help connect people with specific needs such as clothing, meals, transportation, and other assistance.
If You Would Like to Give Financially
If you’d like to support relief efforts through Liferoads, you can give to the 6:10 Fund.
As needs arise within our church network and community, these funds give us the ability to respond quickly and directly.
One of the realities of a disaster like this is that many needs will not be known for weeks or even months. The initial response receives a great deal of attention, but recovery continues long after the smoke clears and the news coverage moves on.
We want Liferoads to be prepared to help meet some of those needs as they emerge.
Organizations Responding to the Fires
There are many excellent organizations already responding in Spokane or preparing to do so. Some will have opportunities to volunteer. Others will publish specific lists of supplies or financial needs.
Before purchasing or collecting supplies, we encourage you to check what organizations are currently requesting. Needs can change quickly during a disaster response.
Here are several faith-based organizations involved in the response:
Samaritan’s Purse
https://samaritanspurse.org/article/readying-our-response-to-washington-wildfires/
Convoy of Hope
https://convoyofhope.org/disaster-relief/washington-communities-battle-wildfires-convoy-responds/
Crisis Response International
https://www.criout.com/deployment/spokanewafirerelief/
Foursquare Disaster Relief
https://foursquaredisasterrelief.org/disasters/northwest-wildfires/
We Will Keep This Page Updated
The situation is changing quickly. Rather than sending out a new document every time something changes, we will continue updating this page as we learn about needs, volunteer opportunities, resources for affected families, and ways Liferoads can help.
For now: pray, care for the people around you, look for opportunities to serve, and stay attentive to the needs God puts in front of you.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
— Psalm 46:1