Nixon creates partnership for faith-based groups and community for disaster recovery

Gov. Jay Nixon signed an executive order Monday to increase faith-based and community efforts during disaster recovery.

At the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau, Nixon signed the order that creates a partnership between 16 state agencies, two federal agencies and 16 private religious and charitable organizations.

The order charges those agencies, along with the State Emergency Management Agency, as the coordinators for providing emergency human services for Missourians in the wake of a disaster.

"These are not only life-saving tasks but life-fulfilling tasks," Nixon told a crowd in the sanctuary of the Salvation Army building. "We're here today to realize part of our mission as citizens of faith in the world that is often challenged is to make sure we're calling on the young, the new and the others to help us to do this.

"We're not capable of doing this with same-old, same-old troops," Nixon said.

Two people, one from the public and the other from the private sector, will serve as co-chairs of the effort. No state funding is used to support the partnership, the governor's office said.

Citing Matthew 25:35-40, Nixon said people of faith have demonstrated the love of Christ for their fellow Missourians in wake of recent disasters by providing a hot meal, a cold bottle of water, shelter or a sympathetic ear. He believes responses by the faith-based community will improve with the signing of the executive order.

"Your efforts have honored these words, and we honor our fellow man by giving of our service," Nixon said. "It's part of our faith journey and responsibility to our fellow man."

Maj. Ben Stillwell of the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau said the executive order provides another way to respond for faith-based organizations in the wake of disaster.

"The community is committed for such a call as this, in which we are supporting those who are suffering at such times," Stillwell said. "Even though different faiths may not agree with everything taught, most do have tenets that call on providing for the helpless and working together."

Cole County Sheriff Greg White said that for the effort to be successful, Missourians must remember it requires everyone to reach across denominational and political party lines.

"A perfect example is the governor, who's a Democrat and me, who is a Republican," White said. "That's just one example of how we push our political affiliations aside and work together for the common good.

"We can hold each other's hands, and it works," White said. "We're talking about the ability for human beings to survive in times of disaster."

White said Missourians have an opportunity to be a spiritual lighthouse during times of disaster.

"Missourians rely on communities of faith, especially in times of disaster," said White, a member of Southridge Baptist Church in Jefferson City. "... It's up to you to go forward in your congregations and governmental agencies."

Missouri departments involved are Agriculture, Conservation, Economic Development, Elementary and Secondary Education, Health and Senior Services, Higher Education, Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, Labor and Industrial Relations, Mental Health, Natural Resources, Public Safety and Social Services, Office of Administration, SEMA, Missouri Housing Development Commission and University of Missouri Extension.

Private and federal organizations involved are the American Red Cross, Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the Salvation Army, Missouri Catholic Conference, Church World Service, Missouri Interfaith Disaster Response Organization, AmeriCorps of St. Louis, United Way of Missouri, Missouri Association of Community Action, Missouri Legal Services, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Missouri Sheriffs Association, Missouri Emergency Preparedness Association, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Nixon said he hopes more organizations will join in disaster-relief efforts.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO