Our Story
Faith Responders was born out of a simple conviction: when disaster strikes, the church should be the first to respond. Founded by a group of pastors and volunteers who witnessed firsthand the devastation of natural disasters in the Gulf Coast region, we set out to build a ministry that could mobilize trained, compassionate teams quickly and effectively.
What began as a small network of local churches has grown into a multi-state ministry deploying hundreds of volunteers each year. From wildfires, flooding, or tornadoes to major hurricanes, our teams have served alongside thousands of families — tarping roofs, clearing debris, gutting flood-damaged homes, and offering the hope of the Christ in the middle of crisis.
We believe disaster response is not just humanitarian work — it is ministry. Every nail driven, every tarp secured, and every prayer offered is an act of worship and a witness to the love of God and hope offered through faith.
Our Mission
"To empower, engage and equip congregations to share the restorative love of God and offer Christ in tangible ways to those affected by disasters - rebuilding homes and restoring lives one family at a time."
Faith Responders Impact in 2025
What We Stand For
Faith First
Every deployment, every training, and every relationship is grounded in our faith in Jesus Christ and our calling to love our neighbors.
Servant Hearts
We show up ready to work — not to be seen, but to serve. Humility and hard work define our teams in the field.
Trained & Safe
We equip our volunteers with the skills and safety knowledge to serve effectively without putting themselves or survivors at risk.
Church-Centered
We believe the local church is God's primary vehicle for community transformation. We partner with and strengthen congregations.
Whole-Person Care
We address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs — because true recovery goes far beyond a repaired roof.
Long-Term Commitment
We don't just show up for the cameras. We stay — through the long, unglamorous work of recovery — until families are truly restored.
Board of Directors
Dedicated leaders guiding Faith Responders' mission to equip and mobilize the church in disaster response and recovery.
Elizabeth Chryst
Elizabeth is a co-founder of Faith Responders and currently serves as Chair of the Board. She previously chaired the Wesleyan Covenant Association Global Council and served on the executive board of the Florida Wesleyan Covenant Association. She is also a past chair of Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Florida. Earlier in her career, she was elected as an officer of the United States Senate, serving as the U. S. Senate Secretary for the Majority. Elizabeth lives with her husband and son in Texas and loves sharing the mission and vision of Faith Responders with churches, community groups and organizations.
Steve Painter
Steve is a retired Naval Oceanographer and military-sector business executive with more than 45 years of experience. He serves as Vice Chair of Faith Responders and previously served for more than 14 years on the board of the National Center for Simulation in Orlando. Steve and his wife, Lisa, have been members of University Carillon GMC since 2003, where they have been active in church leadership and international missions to the Bahamas and Cuba. Steve also helped establish the Serve Response Team, a church-wide ministry serving local individuals in need and communities impacted by natural disasters. Steve also serves as a Basic Disaster Response Trainer with Faith Responders.
Laura Peluso
Laura is a co-founder of Faith Responders and serves as its Treasurer. She is a member of the Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery team at Habitat for Humanity International, and holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University. Laura's volunteer and professional experience inform her participation in Faith Responders, and her commitment to its mission is anchored in her relationship with Jesus Christ and her hope that God's kingdom on Earth will flourish as Christians love the others as we love ourselves (Leviticus 19:33-34) and open wide our hands to the needy and to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:11).
Chris Rodriguez
Chris was born in NY and raised in Peachtree City GA. She obtained her BS from the University of South Alabama and worked for the Department of Defense Schools, both overseas and stateside. She has been a part of the Georgianna Church staff in Merritt Island FL since 2005. As the Missions Pastor, Chris helped to establish a vibrant ministry locally and globally. Under Chris' leadership, Georgianna began a Natural Disaster Relief Ministry in 2019. This new mission has blessed families in AL, the Bahamas, FL, KY, LA and TN with teams who have assisted with clean up and the rebuilding of homes.
Phillip Coleman
Phillip is a Certified Public Accountant with over 35 years in franchise concept development and growing those concepts. Phillip has a passion for Disaster Response, serving with his local church Early Response Team on more than 2 dozen trips over the last 12 years. He also is strong believer in the power of faith based organizations such as Faith Responders who bring God’s love to survivors around the country. He lives with his wife in Atlanta, GA and serves as an advisor to the board on financial issues.
Russ Kamradt
Russ has dedicated his life to serving others through disaster response, community outreach, and Christian ministry. He has deployed to more than 50 national and international disasters with the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Mission Harvest Intl, and Faith Responders. A former United States Marine, Russ is also a retired General Operations Manager who oversaw distribution centers throughout Northeast Florida. Driven by his faith and a lifelong passion for helping those in need, Russ has held numerous leadership positions within the Methodist Church. His wife, Kathy, and their Bible study class helped establish one of the first Global Methodist churches in Florida, where they continue to serve in leadership.
Luis Morales
Luis retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2012 after more than 34 years of military service, primarily as a registered nurse. During his final 12 years, he served as an International Health Specialist, leading nursing initiatives and planning and executing humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness missions around the world. After retiring Luis has dedicated himself to giving back volunteering through the Methodist Church, State VOAD and other organizations focused in disaster response and recovery. Luis led the development of the current Faith Responders Disaster Response curriculums and coordinates the development of trainers, training of volunteers and safety protocols.
Holly Moody
Holly is a co-founder of Faith Responders and a South Florida attorney specializing in real estate transactions, estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Holly serves as a legal advisor and Secretary on the Faith Responders board. She was formerly a member of Wesleyan Covenant Association in Florida and integral in the Global Methodist church movement. A native of Fort Lauderdale, she is also the proud mother of two grown daughters. She and her husband reside in South Florida.
Laura Lambert
Laura is a Global Methodist Church pastor, Executive Director, and Co-Founder of Faith Responders Disaster Response and Recovery Ministry. She is passionate about connecting the Church to disaster-affected communities through missions, evangelism, and tangible expressions of Christ’s love. Laura began serving in disaster ministry in 2015 as a Disaster Case Manager and later served as a Regional Coordinator and Conference Disaster Recovery Coordinator following Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, and Irma. After Hurricane Ian in 2022, she left her position as a Hospice Chaplain to help launch Faith Responders, as a ministry partner to the GMC, to empower, engage and equip the Body of Christ to bring hope, healing, and practical support to disaster survivors.
Join the Mission
Whether you volunteer, donate, or mobilize your church — there is a place for you in this work.