UCC IK Conference Partnership: Called to Restore
Organizing long-term disaster recovery mission trips in Indiana and Kentucky
We are honored to partner with the United Church of Christ – Indiana Kentucky Conference (IKC) to support long-term disaster recovery mission trips for congregations serving in Indiana and Kentucky.
The disasters addressed through this partnership are not immediate emergency responses. Instead, they are communities in the long-term recovery phase—where rebuilding, cleanup, and restoration can take months or even years after the initial event. This work requires patience, commitment, and faithful presence, and congregations play a vital role in that journey.
A Shared Commitment to Long-Term Recovery
The IK UCC’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry coordinates recovery efforts that continue well beyond the headlines. Many cleanup and rebuilding projects span multiple years, meeting needs that persist long after first responders have gone home.
Together, we help ensure that:
- Communities are not forgotten after disaster
- Recovery work is coordinated and meaningful
- Volunteer efforts support sustainable rebuilding rather than short-term fixes
How Mission Trips Are Scheduled
This partnership is designed to be flexible and congregation-centered.
- Congregations identify their preferred timeframe for a mission trip—whether that’s weeks, months, or even a year in advance.
- Our partners at the United Church of Christ – Indiana Kentucky Conference then work to match those dates with active long-term cleanup and recovery projects in Indiana and Kentucky.
- Projects are selected based on real, ongoing needs within affected communities.
This approach allows churches to plan with confidence while ensuring their work makes a lasting impact.
Our Role: Removing Barriers to Service
We support these mission trips by handling key logistics so volunteers can focus fully on the work:
- Housing for volunteer teams
- Meals in most cases
- A safe, welcoming base for rest and fellowship after a day of service
Volunteer teams are responsible for their transportation costs.
Why Long-Term Recovery Matters
Long-term disaster recovery is about more than rebuilding structures—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and stability over time. By returning to the same communities again and again, volunteers become partners in healing rather than one-time helpers.
Through our partnership with the United Church of Christ – Indiana Kentucky Conference, congregations are invited into this deeper, sustained work of restoration—walking alongside neighbors as they rebuild their lives.
Learn More: Disaster Response - ikcucce
