Christian Organization Offering Hope Amid War, Disaster

Faith-based agency providing rapid response relief and one-of-a-kind training.

Bartlesville, OK (PRWEB) May 19, 2006 -- With the 2006 hurricane season only several weeks away, many Americans are bracing for what could be yet another destructive season. For an international mission organization, however, preparation and response to hurricanes and other disasters have been an ongoing, year-round effort.

Strategic World Impact (SWI) enters difficult areas with critical relief supplies and the good news of the Gospel. They focus primarily on places of war, disaster and Christian persecution. Additionally, they train and equip others by offering an intensive, week-long training program.

Around the world, disasters and a massive increase in refugees are on a cyclical rise and we must be prepared and trained to realistically deal with these situations

For far too long, Christians and the faith based community have sat back and allowed other organizations such as the United Nations to respond to the world’s great tragedies. I believe that the Church must step up and offer hope to areas of devastation and eliminate the red tape and politics that often accompany such political organizations

Many times, people languish and suffer while countries take votes. The result often turns human suffering into a political process that ultimately leaves women and children dead.

Risk in the kingdom of God is really a misnomer. People often ask,

“Around the world, disasters and a massive increase in refugees are on a cyclical rise and we must be prepared and trained to realistically deal with these situations,” said Kevin Turner, president and founder of Strategic World Impact.

Turner’s organization, which is comprised of these specially trained teams, has worked in many hot zones around the globe such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Burma and Pakistan. Small groups are sent into regions to evaluate the need and then appropriately respond with physical and spiritual assistance.

The ministry was instrumental to the relief efforts of The Great Tsunami of 2004, Hurricane Rita, and most recently, the earthquake in Northern Pakistan.

“For far too long, Christians and the faith based community have sat back and allowed other organizations such as the United Nations to respond to the world’s great tragedies. I believe that the Church must step up and offer hope to areas of devastation and eliminate the red tape and politics that often accompany such political organizations,” said Turner.

He added, “Many times, people languish and suffer while countries take votes. The result often turns human suffering into a political process that ultimately leaves women and children dead.”

Turner, who founded SWI in 1997, also concedes there is often a heavy price to pay while working in such areas. He has been fired upon by helicopter gunships, attacked by an angry mob in Africa and has narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions.

He noted, “Risk in the kingdom of God is really a misnomer. People often ask, “Isn’t that dangerous?” My response is, “Not as dangerous as being outside of God’s will.”

To learn more about Strategic World Impact or for registration information on the upcoming DART conference, visit www.swi.org or call 877-RUN-TELL (786-8355).

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