Seacoast Church rallied together to raise $20,000 through text in under 12 hours for the churches and families affected by devastating flooding in Louisiana.    

Seacoast is one of the founding partners of the Association of Related Churches (ARC). Glenn estimates there are 12-15 churches in the ARC network directly affected by the floods—either their campuses were overtaken or they knew people whose homes were destroyed. Glenn explained, “This [flooding] is something that’s near and dear to Pastor Greg [Surratt]’s heart. We have to do what we can.” He went on to describe how Seacoast mobilized so much aid with less than a day’s notice.

“Pastor Greg sent out a text to me and a couple others on Saturday asking, ‘Is it possible to use Kindrid to raise some money tomorrow to help with the flooding?’

"We decided we weren’t going to put it up on social media or really promote it. We’d just ask people in the church if they'd give $20 to flood relief. We’d only announce this in services and see what we could raise.

"It wasn’t a focal point of services. Pastor Greg mentioned it just once during the opening part of his message—’we’re affected by this and have partners affected by it. I want to give everyone the opportunity to help so here’s what I’m going to ask you to do.’

"From a set up standpoint, it was so simple. We put a little blurb up on the screen that said 'Text 20 Flood to (843) 410-0739 to donate $20 to the flood relief.'

"People were already set up to give through Kindrid and if they weren’t, Pastor Greg said 'Hey, if you never used Kindrid before, text 20 Flood to this number and you’ll get a text back with a link so you can tell us who you are—name and other basic information. That will get you set up in the system and you’ll be good to go.'

As a church of 14k, Seacoast engaged 7% of their congregation through Kindrid that morning. Of those who gave, 30% were first time givers. Seacoast embodied generosity, giving, all in all, more than $40,000 to reach their neighbors states away. But that’s not the biggest reason to celebrate.

Seacoast Church's heart is clear

Seacoast had a vision to step up as a congregation and be a Christ-like representation of hope to the thousands of people affected by flooding. Over 60,000 homes were damaged, but Seacoast’s prayers didn’t stop with interlocked hands and bowed heads in a Sunday service. That’s where they started. (Technically they started 12 hours prior on a Saturday afternoon with a simple text!)

There’s a problem activating support from people who are compelled to help. The easy part is showing a video, getting on stage, and communicating a need. Churches are literally set up to do that at the drop of a hat. The difficult part is answering church members’ whispering questions, “Wow, that really sucks, but now what?”

Their hands are outstretched and feel compelled to do something in that moment. What do you do? Ask for the remaining cash out of their pockets? Needs don’t simply go away from acting out of convenience or remainder; they’re met in a place of proactivity and commitment. 

A Seacoast admin set up the designation “FLOOD” for their 13 campuses in a minute flat. Everyone at Seacoast had the ability to give to their church's vision of being hope to the flooded cities, instantly. That's what it looks like to activate your church at a moment's notice.