Last December, a Boulder, Colorado wildfire destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and forced more than 35,000 residents to evacuate. American Bible Society’s Director of Church Engagement and Volunteer Fire Department Chaplain, Scott Ross, was there during and after the fire, assisting firefighters and coordinating resources with our national disaster relief partners.

Once the fire was finally out, the trauma of the disaster began to settle in among families who had just lost everything but their lives. Scott recalled one man who walked up to him looking exhausted and stunned.

“As we began talking,” Scott said, “the man saw the God Is Our Shelter and Beyond Disaster booklets in my hand and asked if his wife could have them.” They walked over to the man’s wife, and Scott offered her the booklets, explaining that the Scriptures and practical help offered in them would be very comforting.

“For someone who has lost everything, being able to hand them something tangible, something with Scripture, gives them a sense of stability. The Bible is an anchor in times of crisis. It allows people to lament and hope at the same time.”

Thanks to the faithful support of our partners, we were able to respond instantly in times of crisis, both in the U.S. and worldwide. In the last year, our generous friends helped our crisis response team provide over 164,000 copies of Bibles, New Testaments, Beyond Disaster booklets, God Is Our Shelter and Strength booklets, and the Gospel of John, in both English and Spanish.

Through our partners’ generosity, in the midst of natural disasters and crisis events, we are helping give those who are suffering the comfort and hope only God’s Word can provide.

Bible based Trauma Healing is a fast growing mission field and needs the support of generous partners for years to come. Click here to support this growing ministry: