When disaster strikes, churches are often among the first places people turn.

They are already rooted in the community. They know their neighbors. They have trusted relationships, willing volunteers, and a deep calling to care for people in times of need.

That is why CRR is committed to helping churches prepare before disaster hits.

Recently, CRR had the opportunity to lead Church Relief Hub training at The Nittany Church, a campus church in State College made up of Penn State students, families, and community members. During one of the church’s regularly scheduled gatherings, CRR walked members through practical ways their congregation can prepare to serve their community in a disaster.

The training included Stop the Bleed certification, family readiness planning, and basic disaster awareness. These tools are designed to help churches think clearly about how to protect their own people, care for their neighbors, and respond wisely when a crisis happens.

By the end of the training, 18 members of The Nittany Church were certified in Stop the Bleed.

But the impact did not stop there.

After the training, a father and son from the church signed up for CRR’s July Immediate Relief Team training, taking the next step toward being equipped for hands-on disaster response.

For Dr. Jamison Malcolm, Lead Minister at The Nittany Church, the training helped the church see both the practical need and the spiritual calling behind disaster preparedness.

“CRR came to our church last week during one of our regularly scheduled meetings of the body to conduct the Church Relief Hub training and Stop The Bleed certification,” Jamison shared. “Dave, Andrew and Ethan are true professionals who care about helping the most vulnerable during a disaster, and they believe that equipping churches for direct care is the most efficient and effective way to help.”

Jamison said the training gave the church both confidence and conviction.

“18 of our members went through the training and are now Stop The Bleed certified. We’re also working on implementing the disaster planning and response recommendations that we learned. Our church feels more confident that we can serve our community in a disaster, and more convicted that this is a part of our calling than ever before.”

That is the heart behind CRR’s Church Relief Hub training.

Prepared churches can become anchors of hope in moments of crisis. They can open their doors, organize volunteers, care for vulnerable neighbors, collect and distribute supplies, and connect people with help when they need it most.

Disaster response does not begin when the storm hits. It begins when ordinary people decide to prepare.

Jamison added, “I highly recommend partnering with CRR in general and this training specifically to equip your church to serve your community.”

CRR is grateful for churches like The Nittany Church that are taking seriously the call to love their neighbors, prepare wisely, and serve faithfully when crisis comes.