Book excerpt: A Ready Hope: Effective Disaster Ministry for Congregations is an introduction for people of faith who are new to the ministry of disaster preparedness and response. Authors Kathy Haueisen and Carol Flores have both personal and professional experience dealing with the tropical storms and hurricanes that have roared through the Gulf Coast region the past decade. Residents of Houston, Texas, they have worked closely with ecumenical faith-based and other nongovernmental networks, governmental groups, judicatory leaders, and congregations as they have assisted those affected by these disasters. A Ready Hope provides an overview of existing disaster-response networks, details the predictable phases of disaster recovery at both the individual and community level, lifts up helpful and unhelpful ways that congregational leaders and members can be involved in disaster response efforts, and provides resources to prepare congregations to respond appropriately to a disaster in their community. A variety of organizations bring help when disaster strikes. Faith-based organizations also bring hope to the survivors of the disaster and to the other rescue and relief workers who leave home to assist. This book will help people of faith equip themselves to be part of God s heart and hands when a disaster occurs.