Texas Volunteer Ministers Complete Tornado Response

A team of Scientologists from the Church of Scientology of Dallas and the Scientology Mission of Deep Ellum, Texas, have been providing relief to those affected by the deadly North Texas tornadoes since December 26, 2015.

Moved by the hardship of those who lost everything when five tornadoes ripped through the Dallas area the night after Christmas 2015, a team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers spent the better part of the past two months helping the communities of Garland and Rowlett, Texas, recover.

Staying on to help those affected cope with the arduous work of picking up the pieces, the volunteers completed their disaster response project February 11.

In the days following the twisters, their yellow pavilion became a landmark where people could go for supplies or help. They distributed donated materials and food to those in need.

The volunteers helped those whose homes were damaged or destroyed, digging through the rubble to recover valuables and salvaging building materials. One grateful resident estimates their efforts will save him $30,000 in viable bricks, wood and drywall he can use to rebuild.

Then came the clean-up and rebuilding of structures that were damaged but not destroyed. And the Volunteer Ministers specialty—helping people with Scientology assists, procedures developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard that address the spiritual and emotional factors in stress and trauma.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers worked alongside rescue workers, firefighters and many other relief organizations including faith-based Christian, Islamic and Buddhist groups. There was even a pet rescue group and 25 bikers brought donations for people in need.

Emerging from the experience a seasoned and tight-knit team, the volunteers decided to form an official Scientology Volunteer Ministers group that will continue working together to help the community throughout the year.

Whether serving in their communities or on the other side of the world, the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Minister is “Something can be done about it.” The program, created in the mid 1970s by L. Ron Hubbard and sponsored by the Church of Scientology International as a religious social service, constitutes one of the world’s largest international independent relief forces.

L. Ron Hubbard described the Volunteer Minister as a person who “helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.”

A global network of Volunteer Ministers mobilizes in times of manmade and natural disasters, answering the call wherever needed. Collaborating with some 1,000 organizations and agencies, they have utilized their skill and experience in providing physical support and spiritual aid at hundreds of disaster sites.