Mission
By offering specialized training programs to local churches, the organization empowers the Body of Christ to effectively prepare their congregations for serving their communities during emergencies and disasters.
Vision
To see the Church confidently prepared to be salt and light in times of crisis or disaster.
Foundational Beliefs
Preparation is Biblical: The principle of preparedness aligns closely with biblical teaching. Scripture consistently supports both spiritual and practical preparation for the future. Taking steps to prepare for uncertain times does not reflect a lack of faith; rather, it demonstrates responsible stewardship. Personal preparedness is not only permissible within the Christian faith—it is an expectation rooted in Scripture. The Bible offers numerous examples, commands, and wisdom for believers seeking to follow Jesus faithfully in all aspects of life.
Ministry from Overflow: Effective ministry flows from abundance rather than need. In the context of disaster response, this means that believers who are unprepared to endure hardship themselves are less able to extend meaningful assistance to others. By ensuring personal and family readiness, Christians position themselves to serve those impacted by crises. Preparedness enables the Church to respond compassionately and powerfully to both physical and spiritual needs in moments of uncertainty.
The Church's Finest Hour: When major emergencies or disasters occur, the response of believers has the potential to reflect what could become the Church’s finest hour. With adequate preparation and faith-driven action, the body of Christ can stand as a beacon of hope, meeting physical and spiritual needs in a way that demonstrates the love and strength of the Gospel.
Our History
Building on a long career in disaster and emergency management and response, PREP Ministries founder Mark Thompson initially created general and event-specific preparedness trainings for volunteer groups, focusing on practical skills for responding to crises. In a later ministry role, he expanded these materials into a structured, summer-long adult education course at a church, introducing the idea of personal preparedness and weekly equipping participants to take responsibility for their own readiness.
Encouraged by his Bible study group and supported by his home church leadership, Mark then developed a broader series of workshops and, over about eighteen months, grew the effort into a church-wide orientation on personal preparedness—a three-hour introductory event designed to help congregants manage their own emergency needs and better support others in times of disaster.
The success of this initiative led to the creation of a structured three-course series and over twenty advanced seminars and workshops exploring a wide range of preparedness topics. As part of this initiative, he also authored a paper titled “Preparedness as a Ministry”, articulating the integration of faith-based principles into community readiness efforts.
Our Founder
Mark Thompson has a degree in civil engineering, is a former U.S. Army environmental officer, and veteran disaster responder with more than 30 years of experience in crises around the world. While serving as Mercy Ships' Disaster Response Coordinator, he directed responses to earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, and tornadoes, including major events such as Hurricane Mitch, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and U.S. Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike.
Mark has owned a disaster restoration business, managed hazardous and radiological cleanup projects, and directed emergency response programs in both international and local settings. A survivor of the 2015 Van, Texas tornado, he writes and teaches from first-hand experience—both as a responder and as a victim.
An Eagle Scout, former Boy Scout leader and ordained minister, Mark has spent decades equipping others in first aid, emergency preparedness, wilderness survival, and practical disaster readiness. Since 2019, he has focused on training churches and volunteer groups to prepare well, respond wisely, and care for their communities when disaster strikes.
About PREP Ministries
PREP Training and Consulting is a ministry that helps individuals and churches become personally prepared for times of crisis, so they are ready to serve and support their communities. PREP stands for Practical Responsible Emergency Preparedness, highlighting a commitment to wise, compassionate readiness that begins at home and extends outward.