When devastating floods hit communities on the outskirts of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, families were forced from their homes and left without many of the basic necessities they needed.
But in the middle of the crisis, local churches opened their doors.
Pastors were already welcoming displaced families into their churches when ServeNow came alongside them to provide practical assistance to families affected by the flooding.
It became more than a relief effort or food distribution. It was an opportunity to equip pastors to serve their communities and to demonstrate the love of Christ to people in times of need.
Serving the Nations Through the Local Church
Abidjan is home to more than 6 million people and is particularly vulnerable to severe flooding and devastating landslides. This year, the flooding caused loss of life and forced thousands of people from their homes, leaving many without basic necessities.
Christian organizations and humanitarian groups responded to the crisis, including ServeNow. On July 19, ServeNow distributed 250 food packages to families affected by the flooding in Koumassi Campement, an area at the heart of the affected community.
But there was something intentional about the way the relief was distributed.
Rather than simply handing supplies to local authorities or community leaders, ServeNow worked directly through pastors already serving in the affected communities. These pastors had opened their churches to displaced families. They were already positioned to serve like Jesus, knowing the needs around them.
ServeNow didn’t start from scratch because the Church was already there.
Each family received a food package containing 5 kilograms of rice, 1 kilogram of sugar, salt, and soap—basic necessities that could help sustain a family for more than a week. In total, 250 families received assistance, representing approximately $3,000 in relief.
But the impact went beyond the contents of each package.
Local pastors were able to care for people in their own communities tangibly, demonstrating Christ’s compassion and care when the vulnerable needed it most.
“God Has Not Forgotten Me”
For one woman, the food package represented far more than rice, sugar, salt, and soap.
Since the floods occurred, she had not received any help. When she received the package, she could not hold back her tears of joy.
To her, the food was a gift from God—a reminder that even in the middle of suffering and uncertainty, God had not forgotten her.
Her response captures why serving like Jesus matters. Sometimes people need to hear about God’s love. Sometimes they need to experience it. And sometimes, the two come together through a simple act of compassion.
More Than Relief
The families who received assistance expressed their gratitude to the donors and ServeNow team for showing compassion to people they had never met.
A family in Abidjan can receive help from people thousands of miles away because someone chose to give. And that generosity can be entrusted to a local pastor who is already faithfully serving his community.
The result is a partnership:
Donors provide the resources.
Local pastors know the people.
The Church responds to the need.
And vulnerable families experience Christ’s love.
This what it means to Serve the Nations, coming alongside the local church to meet practical needs and demonstrate the love of Christ.
The Church Can Be A Source of Hope
When disaster strikes, local pastors are often among the first people their communities turn to. They know the families, understand the needs, and are already present.
The 250 families who received food packages were not simply statistics in a relief report. They were mothers, fathers, children, neighbors, and members of a community facing an incredibly difficult season.
And through the local church, they were reminded that they were not alone.
The Church can be a place of refuge.
The Church can be a source of hope.
And the Church can be the hands and feet of Christ when people need help most.
Your Partnership Helps Serve the Nations
The response in Abidjan was made possible by people who believe in serving vulnerable communities and opening doors for the Gospel.
When you partner with ServeNow, you’re helping bring practical help and the hope of Jesus to people facing difficult circumstances around the world.
Together, we can continue Serving the Nations and helping the local Church become a source of hope when communities need it most.
