OUR
MISSION:
IDES exists to meet physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
Our History
1970: Following a major cyclone that hit Bangladesh, Milton Bates, and his wife, Janet, were deeply moved by the utter destruction they saw on the news reports. Burdened to help somehow, Milton and Janet prayed for God to reveal a way to unite the brotherhood of independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in a relief effort.
After writing and sending over 500 letters from their own kitchen table to various Christian leaders, 9 men wrote back that they would support Milton and be his board if he volunteered to lead the effort. Faithfully, Milton and Janet continued to pray for direction, and for the missionaries they were connected with around the world.
Then, at the 1973 North American Christian Convention, Milton and these 9 leaders met together for the first time, and International Disaster Emergency Service was officially created.
In 1974, IDES hired our first staff person, Richard Sprague, who began traveling for IDES to raise awareness and funds for the mission.
Ten years later, IDES moved out of the Bates and Sprague homes and into an office space in Kempton, IN.
2005, Hurricane Katrina rattled the deep south and IDES deployed to help with clean up and rebuilds. This marked a major time of growth for IDES, rebuilding 36 homes over a 3 year time span in Pearlington, MS as well as planting a church in that community.
2010, In response to a major earthquake in Haiti, IDES launched the GAP program to help feed people in need around the world.
2014, IDES made the move from Kempton, IN to Noblesville, IN to more than triple our space and increase international impact.
2024, IDES simplified the way we defined our work to 3 focus areas: Disaster Response, Development, Disciple Making.
Today, we are thrilled to continue our legacy of providing Help & Hope around the world as those who came before us have faithfully been doing for more than 50 years.
Our Core Values
We exist to meet physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
Partnership
We believe that God works through His church to accomplish His purpose. We believe God has gifted His people to do ministry in His name.
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Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12
Glorify God
“Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.”
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1 Cor. 10:31; Matt. 5:16
Dependence on God
We are dependent on God for wisdom and guidance every day. We are to pray about everything. We will trust God to provide for our needs and we will seek first
His kingdom.
John 15:5; Phil. 4:6, 7, 19; Matt. 6:33
Evangelism
We are “beggars telling other beggars where to find food.”
By giving physical bread we seek to earn the right to share “The Bread of Life” with the hungry.
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Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 2:38; Colossians 1:28,29
Compassion
We are to show others the love God has shown us through
His Son, Jesus Christ.
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Luke 6:36; 1 John 3:16-18
Integrity
We must be good examples of what we teach. We are to be faithful and trustworthy stewards. We are to live above reproach.
(2 Cor. 8:19-21; 1 Thes. 5:23, 24; 1 Tim. 3:2)​
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Generosity
Our gratitude for God’s grace motivates us to give to others.
James 2:15-17; Proverbs 3:27, 28