Previous Work

On August 8, 2023, wildfires ripped through parts of upcountry and West Maui damaging entire communities and destroying thousands of structures. Kula and Lahaina sustained significant damage. In Lahaina, many fled the deadly flames by abandoning their cars and jumping into the ocean. Despite these desperate efforts, 97 lives were lost during the state's worst natural disaster in history. Over 1,000 people were displaced, homes were lost, and the natural beauty of the landscape has been altered.  (Maui Wildfire Public Health Rapid Needs Assessment Preliminary Report, 2023)  

Our team was given incredible favor among the largest unseen group affected by the fires, the Filipinos. 50% of Lahaina’s population is made up of Filipino and many work in the service industry (hotels & resorts). Because of the unaffordable housing crisis before the fires, many houses had multiple structures built on their properties that weren’t insured. In our hotel, we were able to meet with all the housecleaners, maintenance workers, and groundskeepers. We were able to “talk story” (have a meaningful conversation) to hear their story and hold that space for them.  Acts of Mercy was able to give and offer hope, to bring smiles and some joy.  

As the people of God, we are called to generosity and faith, knowing that Jesus would provide for every need. Because of the great faith of members in our community, we accepted the challenge of contributing time, skills, and resources to reach the city of Waco during the Coronavirus crisis. Seamstresses sewed more than 1,200 masks for local hospital staff and the medically fragile. School supplies were provided for children across the city, and our community handed out boxed lunches and grocery store gift cards, among many other things! We also established the Waco Relief Fund, where 100% of proceeds went directly to helping those impacted by Coronavirus in the Waco community.

When Hurricane Harvey hit the coast of Texas, thousands of home owners in the Houston and surrounding Southeast Texas areas found themselves in the midst of a major disaster. Hurricane Harvey brought flood waters and devastating damage to homes across the region. 

Over a span of four weeks, more than 1,800 people from across the Antioch Movement participated in Hurricane Harvey Relief efforts. We completed the demolition process of 230 homes, raised $75,000 toward Harvey Relief efforts and an additional $20,000 worth of tools were donated. With an average amount of $10,000 saved per home we demoed, we can estimate that around $2.2 million of demo costs and 18,900 hours of manpower were provided through the volunteers who came to serve in Houston. In addition, our initial response teams helped rescue several hundred people from their flooded homes and many lives were changed by the power of prayer and the Gospel.

As violence and civil war left millions of people displaced, the world faced one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time. As refugees began flooding into Europe, we knew the Church had to respond.

We had more than 1,800 short-term workers and 200 interns serve in Europe. 30 laborers and friends continued the work short-term teams began. 

In 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Haiti. 250,000 lives were lost, 300,000 people were injured and about 1.5 million people were displaced.

Acts of Mercy mobilized 10 relief teams to Haiti and established a 5-year development project in a village near the epicenter of the earthquake. After 5 years of operation in Haiti, we officially transitioned leadership to a team of nationals who are focused on church planting, discipleship and holistic community development.

In 2004, an earthquake it the Indian Ocean, triggering a tsunami that would take 36,000 lives and leave 1.5 million people displaced. 

Acts of Mercy responded by mobilizing 46 short-term relief workers. We rebuilt 87 homes in what came to be called, “Restoration Village.” This short-term relief work led to long-term development and church planting that continues today.