Convoy of Hope

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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
September 2005
By J. Andrew Preslar


Transforming Communities

Convoy of Hope (“Convoy”) is an evangelical Christian organization whose mission is to “transform entire communities with compassion one life at a time.” This mission is accomplished by means of providing resources to local organizations to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people. In order to get the picture of this ministry in operation, one should begin by imagining a “convoy” of 18-wheeler semi-trucks trekking across America to gather and deliver donated food and other goods to needy people. Then there is Convoy’s 300,000 square-foot distribution center, which serves as the hub of this activity, allowing for the storing and preparation for shipment of tons of food and compassion supplies each year. Finally, there are the communities which receive the commodities, where Convoy cultivates partnerships with churches, government, non-profit organizations and businesses in order to build a sense of oneness in the community. Convoy outreaches are community-wide events, involving a multitude of volunteers and reaching out to anyone asking for help. The organization’s achievements include:

• Millions of pounds of food and supplies have been distributed.
• Thousands of churches and humanitarian groups have come together.
• Communities and the media have seen a demonstration of Christian love.
• Thousands of volunteers have been mobilized.
• Ongoing community programs have been developed in the wake of Convoy outreaches.
• Families have been integrated into churches where they receive ongoing care.
• People have received medical attention, found jobs and been introduced to local resources.
• The Gospel has been presented to hundreds of thousands of individuals, with a response of more than 150,000 decisions for Christ.

One of the distinguishing marks of Convoy is their commitment to treating each person who attends an outreach as a guest of honor. Convoy considers this aspect of its mission to be of great importance– no one should feel as though they were just getting a hand-out. Every person is accorded full dignity, value and respect.

Outreach Across America

Convoy was formed in 1994 for the purpose of networking with local churches to hold community outreaches that would give away groceries, help people find jobs, and present the Gospel. A typical outreach also features health fairs, refreshments, activities for children and live entertainment. These later activities create an atmosphere which helps Convoy to make good on its promise of treating people as guests of honor. People do not feel like they are simply standing in line at a soup-kitchen. Virtually every major city in America has hosted a citywide Convoy outreach. Convoy typically erects a temporary hub of operations in at-risk communities of major urban centers. Hundreds of volunteers from churches and other organizations converge to help in the immediate relief effort and to establish relationships that serve as the basis of on-going church and community development outreaches.

Rapid Response Around the World

In recent years, Convoy has extended its mission to include dozens of countries around the globe. Convoy responds to natural and man-made disasters around the world with food, water purification systems, blankets, generators, medical supplies, shelters and more. Convoy’s rapid response relief efforts are made possible through the development of Disaster Response Task Forces. Each Task Force incorporates administration, communications, logistics, material resources, distribution, outreach and volunteer management personnel into an overall strategy of disaster relief which allows for quick responses and multiplies Convoy’s effectiveness around the world. Convoy receives phone calls each week from front-line organizations asking for food assistance. Convoy’s decision to assist a particular community is based upon need and the willingness and ability of local churches and charitable organizations to form coalitions for maximum effectiveness. Convoy establishes partnerships across denominational lines. These partnerships unite communities, provide local groups with a platform to share their message, and put people in contact with churches and other organizations that can provide long-term support, resources and encouragement.

Convoy’s disaster relief systems were put to an extraordinary test in response to the tsunami that rocked Southeast Asia the day after Christmas 2004. That same day, Kenton Moody, Convoy’s Director of International Outreach, left to meet the organization’s contact in Sri Lanka in order to determine how Convoy could best begin to help local compassion organizations. During the week of December 27, 2004, Convoy began to provide supplies for the relief of those most affected by the tsunami. National partners, churches and pastors collaborated for the purpose of in-country distribution of the supplies donated by Convoy. Donors responded to the situation by giving money for immediate financial needs, such as shipping and equipping assessment teams to provide for immediate, urgent needs. During the following weeks, Convoy and partners teamed to provide for some of the most pressing needs of people left injured, homeless and destitute by the disaster. Through a shipping partnership with Federal Express, Convoy provided personal hygiene kits, vitamins, food and water, as well as 11,000 pounds of protein bars, gloves and cleaning supplies. Culligan provided 40,000 pounds of bottles water. Bass Pro Shops provided 1,260 cases of water and 4,000 t-shirts as well as the funds to ship these items. Convoy staff prepared to ship additional food and water and to begin local purchasing for family needs, items such as shoes and clothing, toiletries, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and school supplies. Household items such as cooking stoves, cooking kits, and utensils and water containers were also provided. Convoy continues to develop partnerships in the affected regions, in anticipation of ongoing relief efforts. Plans are already being made to distribute tents and materials for temporary housing structures, dried-food items and water purification supplies. Long-term goals may include digging wells, construction of permanent housing and semi-permanent medical clinics where local clinics were destroyed.

Wherever a disaster strikes, Convoy of Hope is ready to respond with food, water purification systems, blankets, generators, medical supplies, shelters and more.