Dr. Crowder shared the following in a letter to future Living Waters Region Clergy on Thursday, June 4.

The Work of Week of Compassion Continues to Be Ever Needed

Beloved Colleagues,

I remain deeply grateful for the ministry of Week of Compassion (WoC) and its unwavering commitment to helping individuals, families, congregations, and communities recover from natural disasters. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that compassion is not merely a feeling… it is faith put into action.

On May 7, 2026, the Presidential Council to Review FEMA released its report containing ten recommendations regarding the future of federal disaster response. While the report seeks to reshape how disaster relief is administered in the United States, several recommendations raise serious concerns for those who experience the devastating effects of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms, and other natural disasters.

Three recommendations, in particular, deserve careful attention.

The first would make it more difficult for states and local municipalities to receive a federal disaster declaration. Such declarations often unlock critical resources needed for rescue, recovery, debris removal, infrastructure repair, and assistance to affected households. Raising the threshold for federal involvement could mean that many communities, especially smaller or rural communities.

The second recommendation would reduce the level of federal financial support available to communities after a disaster. Rather than covering up to 100 percent of certain eligible recovery costs, federal assistance could be capped at 75 percent. While this may appear to be a modest change on paper, it represents a significant financial burden for local governments already struggling to rebuild roads, bridges, public facilities, utilities, and emergency services. Ultimately, those costs are often borne by taxpayers and disaster survivors.

The third recommendation would narrow eligibility requirements for individual and household assistance. An example cited in the report suggests that in a recent Central Texas storm disaster, only about half of the households that received assistance under current guidelines would have qualified under the proposed standards. For families already facing damaged homes, lost possessions, interrupted employment, and mounting expenses, the loss of assistance could have life-altering consequences.

These proposed changes come at a time when natural disasters are increasing in both frequency and severity across many parts of the nation. Communities are finding themselves repeatedly recovering from storms, flooding, extreme weather events, and other disasters that strain local resources and challenge long-term recovery efforts.

This is why I believe the ministry of Week of Compassion and your giving to DMF and WoC is more important than ever.

Whenever severe weather impacts Michigan, Illinois, or Wisconsin, I am always contacted by Week of Compassion. Their response is immediate, compassionate, and focused on the needs of those affected. They understand that disasters are not merely statistics or policy discussions. Behind every damaged home is a family. Behind every flooded church building is a congregation seeking to continue its ministry. Behind every recovery effort are people whose lives have been disrupted and whose futures feel uncertain.

Week of Compassion reminds us that the Church has a unique role in disaster response. Government agencies provide essential services and resources, but the Church provides something equally important: presence, compassion, hope, and community. Long after news cameras leave and public attention shifts elsewhere, faith communities often remain engaged in the long work of recovery.

As followers of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and to care for those who suffer. The ministry of disaster response is not optional work for the Church; it is a faithful expression of the Gospel itself. When families lose homes, when communities face devastation, and when uncertainty clouds the future, the Church is called to stand alongside those who are hurting.

The proposed changes to federal disaster response should encourage all of us to think carefully about how we support ministries that respond to human need. Whether through prayer, financial contributions, volunteer service, or advocacy, there is a role for each of us to play.

I am thankful that Week of Compassion continues to answer that call. Their commitment to disaster response, long-term recovery, and compassionate care demonstrates the very best of what the Church can be. In moments of crisis, they provide not only material assistance but also a tangible witness to God’s love. As these policy discussions continue, let us remember that every disaster affects real people, real families, and real communities. May we continue to support and strengthen ministries that bring hope, healing, and restoration when they are needed most. In a changing disaster-response landscape, the witness of the Church remains constant: to love our neighbors, care for the vulnerable, and stand with those who are rebuilding their lives one day at a time.