PHOENIX, AZ (CR Newswire) – On July 10, 2008, Christian Emergency Network (CEN) selected Santa Rosa, California as its first pilot city to launch the Ready Church Initiative.The pilot process of training the local Church to be prepared for emergencies, and to also respond most effectively within their local community structure, begins immediately with Santa Rosa's Christian community leaders…who were already collaborating to reach their community for Christ through their "Together in Christ" ministry projects and prayer.

Dr. Sam Tillery, a pastor for 20 years in Santa Rosa and now also the city leader of "Together in Christ," speaks on behalf of the others by saying, "We have been praying for 17 years to be an influence across our nation for Jesus Christ through a unified citywide effort.For the past 18 months we have had a vision to reach our community through a strong prepared emergency response.We've fasted and prayed for something like CEN's Ready Church Initiative, having already recognized the community's felt-need for such an effort.

CEN Founder/Chairman Mary Marr says, "As Christians we should not lose site that God is trying to wake us up as the Church to be ready for all types of disasters. He reminds us over and over to be ready to give an answer for the hope within us.It is not only about the trucks of water and relief efforts which are very important, but the power of prayer, the acts of care, and the spiritual sharing that must be evident when disasters occur with or without notice."

Marr continues, "Emergencies occur locally and are managed locally. Therefore, we want to help train the local Church in preparedness, working together in unity with Christians, churches, and community groups, and in sharing the Gospel in word and deed one victim at a time.The government sees the value of a prepared Church, and acknowledges that faith-based groups are vital to any community's full disaster response…as witnessed by Katrina, Wilma, the Midwest storms, the West Coast fires, and other recent natural disaster emergencies."

Marr has been in Washington, D.C. twice in the last month to present the Ready Church Initiative to personnel within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), and others within the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) as set up by President Bush.She also met last week with the Santa Rosa "Together in Christ" city group of church and ministry leaders who will serve as the base of operations for the Ready Church training and pilot process.

"We have yet to tap into the vast resources brought by local churches to any emergency situation," says Marr."Churches are now recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as a major player in disaster response as never before, yet many still need simple training in the basics of response.CEN is being urged to provide and promote the level of readiness now unfolding in churches across the U.S."

Tillery agrees."We see the readiness need, the window of opportunity brought by CEN, and that God has prompted us as a Christian community to respond quickly."

Citywide church collaborations from across the nation are coming on board with preparedness and response interest recently due to communities like Cedar Rapids, Iowa, cities in Wisconsin and California, and others who had to recently address a major crisis without a citywide Christian community plan in place.Federal and local government, faith-based and community action groups, as well as Christian leaders in cities all across America are watching with keen interest to see how congregations can serve together in an emergency; their city may be next.

"As God's people continue to pray for God to bless Cedar Rapids and other cities affected by the recent floods and storms, we should expect to see His response in the selfless compassion and the faith, hope and love demonstrated by followers of Christ," states Phil Miglioratti, pastor and Mission America Coalition's National City Ministry Leader.

In recent years, churches like those in Cedar Rapids and Santa Rosa have strengthened their vision, ability, and capacity to pray specifically, care in transforming ways, and to share Christ sensitively and effectively with victims in their community. The Cedar Rapids' churches were somewhat prepared, as God designed, and they worked tirelessly to coordinate volunteers and assist their community in numerous ways.

Dr. Paul Cedar, Chairman/CEO of the Mission America Coalition says, "The Mission America Coalition wants to thank Christians from across the nation for standing with the churches in Cedar Rapids, and other areas experiencing emergencies as well. It is a reminder to all of us that we never know when a crisis may occur.We as the Church must be ready, not only with the knowledge of how to survive ourselves; we must also be prepared to minister with the love and grace of Jesus Christ to others in need.Many churches like those in Cedar Rapids have heard God's call to "be ready" and it is paying off."

Marr adds, "You may never know when something like what has happened to Wisconsin, Iowa, California, and their surrounding states may happen in your area.The Bible reminds us to 'be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you;' in other words, the Church is to understand and implement a biblical worldview…one that even includes our response to disasters."

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For Interviews with CEN Founder/Chairman Mary Marr
Contact:  Judy Hannestad, Dir of Communications
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