The Ministry of Showing Up - Operation Blessing

The Ministry of Showing Up: Bel Air Church and Operation Blessing Reflect on Disaster Relief, Compassion, and Hope

What does it look like to move toward suffering instead of away from it?

In a recent conversation at Bel Air Church, Pastor Drew Sams sat down with Dan Moore and Brendan O’Leary from Operation Blessing to reflect on disaster relief, compassion, and the growing partnership between Operation Blessing and Bel Air Rebuilds following the devastating Los Angeles fires.

Together, they explored how disaster response is about far more than logistics and supplies. At the heart of it is presence. Listening to people’s stories. Sitting with grief. Serving with compassion. Showing up.

Drawing from decades of experience responding to disasters around the world, Dan and Brendan shared stories from Hurricane Katrina, Morocco, Jamaica, Colombia, and communities across the United States. Again and again, one theme emerged: people may forget the details of what was said or done, but they remember when someone genuinely cared for them in their darkest moments.

One of the most impactful moments in the conversation came through a simple framework shared by Dan Moore: “Love, listen, accept, and pray.” Whether responding to a natural disaster, walking with a grieving friend, or supporting a neighbor through hardship, these four practices reflect the compassionate heart of Jesus.

The conversation also touched on the reality of compassion fatigue and the importance of staying spiritually grounded while serving others. Brendan reflected on how relationships, prayer, and community within disaster response teams help sustain long-term compassion and remind them that every person is made in the image of God.

Pastor Drew also shared a powerful insight from Psalm 23, noting how the psalm shifts from speaking about God as “He” to directly addressing Him as “You” in the valley of the shadow of death. In seasons of suffering, God becomes deeply personal and present. That same posture shapes how the Church is called to respond to people in need.

As Bel Air Church continues serving Los Angeles through Bel Air Rebuilds, food distributions, and partnerships with local organizations like We Out Here Altadena, this conversation serves as both an encouragement and an invitation. Compassion is not reserved for a few specialists. It is part of the calling of every follower of Jesus.

Watch the full conversation to hear stories of hope, disaster relief, faith, and what it means to embody “the ministry of showing up.”

Learn more:
Operation Blessing — ob.org
Bel Air Rebuilds — belair.org/rebuild