A conduit for help opens opportunity to love & serve

As the number of people infected with the coronavirus continues to surge in the U.S. and worldwide, two ministries recently merged to launch a new app that gives churches the ability to see the needs in their communities.

An innovative web application developed by Jesus Alliance and Needserv Ministries is designed to reveal to churches, businesses, and faith-based organizations what those needs are so they can step up to help. (See footnote)

Jesus Alliance CEO and NeedServ co-founder Michael Phillips is excited to have the app up and running in time to meet the needs of those struggling spiritually, emotionally and physically amidst the global pandemic. At press time, the death toll from COVID-19 was approaching 50,000 (5,100+ in the U.S.), with confirmed coronavirus cases nearing the one-million mark (215,000+ in America).

"Right now, church and community leaders across the country are struggling with how to meet the needs of their members and communities," Phillips says in news release announcing the app’s launch last week. "As the pandemic unfolded, our hearts broke as we watched the unprecedented level of needs being broadcast across the nation, and we realized that God had prepared us to be a part of the solution.”

Serving through thick and thin

Long before developing the app and before the COVID-19 outbreak, the groups' outreach has been helping communities rebuild and survive under trying conditions.

“Over the last five years, we have served thousands of meals, distributed mattresses, clothing and more than 300 tons of non-perishable food and water,” Phillips explains. “We have served during both blue- and gray-sky days, and it has all been preparation for the work we are being called to do right now. The needs within our communities are greater than ever, and our team made the decision to launch [the app] sooner – rather than later."

Consequently, instead of having to do the groundwork to find out who needs assistance during this time of crisis, churches, charities and other organizations can use the app to see who has already requested help in their area.

“The NeedServ Web App allows users to enter their needs and serves as a conduit to connect those who want to help but don't know how, with those who need help and don't know where to find it,” the faith-based ministry notes.

“Needs – which can range from helping a senior with grocery shopping to a request for prayer – are routed to local churches and community organizations, where they are then vetted and fulfilled. Churches can sign up for the free service and begin reviewing the needs of those in their communities now.”

As stressed in Scripture, God does and allows all things for a reason, and the ministry leaders are convinced the new app was launched in God’s perfect timing. "We don't believe the timing of our merger is a coincidence," Phillips asserts. "We're providing a digital solution to help meet spiritual and physical needs during an extraordinary time.”

He sees the pandemic and the app launch as an open door and ordained opportunity to bring multitudes to Jesus Christ.

“There's a wider story to be told at a later time about how God brought this together," Phillips shares, "but right now we are laser-focused on partnering with churches and local community organizations across America to meet needs and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the desperate.”