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EMQ Article

Faithful Innovation: Lessons from the Tension of Saving Souls and Saving Lives

By Thad Hicks | How can Christians respond to disaster with both compassion and conviction? This article explores the tension between evangelism and humanitarian aid, drawing on both fieldwork with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services and traditional research. Discover how faithful responders balance saving lives and sharing Christ, not as competing tasks, but as an integrated part of their witness. As the world changes, the integrated witness must also adapt and innovate so that the witness is present and relevant in both word and deed.

  • April 15, 2026
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Volunteers distributing bottled water and supplies at a community outreach event.

EMQ » April - May 2026 » Volume 62 Issue 2

Volunteers organizing bottled water and food for holistic ministry efforts.

Summary: How can Christians respond to disaster with both compassion and conviction? This article explores the tension between evangelism and humanitarian aid, drawing on both fieldwork with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services and traditional research. Discover how faithful responders balance saving lives and sharing Christ, not as competing tasks, but as an integrated part of their witness. As the world changes, the integrated witness must also adapt and innovate so that the witness is present and relevant in both word and deed.

By Thad Hicks

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