Crisis and tragedy are all around us in our broken world. Whether it’s fires, shootings, tornados, floods, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, or an abusive family situation, ministry leaders are often on the front lines of crises. A core tenet of our Foursquare identity is to minister to the spiritual, emotional and psychological needs of those affected by disasters. From natural disasters to human-caused tragedies to personal family crises, what does it look like to effectively pastor people in crisis? How can we best care for those who have been impacted by tragedy? What is the most effective way to do crisis ministry?
In January 2025, Foursquare Disaster Relief held a crisis ministry training for pastors and leaders to help equip them to effectively minister to people in crisis. Led by Foursquare Chaplain Tim Brisson, this training will equip you and your leadership team to understand the impact of trauma on the mind and body and demonstrate how to offer compassionate presence, practical support and a sense of stability to those in the midst of crisis.
A few of the topics covered in the training are:
- Understanding the physiological causes and symptoms of trauma
- How to assess whether someone is exhibiting signs of acute stress
- How to safely engage others in the aftermath of a crisis
- How to safely assist others in crisis while protecting ourselves
- Understanding your role in God’s plan of redemption
