Strategic Thinking
About Faith Based
Preparedness
J. Lewis Saylor
n
Community Disasters
n Internal Emergencies
n Continuity of Operations Planning - COOP
n Continuity of Ministry Planning - COMP
Houses of worship and faith based organizations have an unique role in our society. Within their “spheres of relationships,” houses of worship enjoy a special interaction with a broad range of individuals and families from the young to the old and across the economic spectrum.
Because of this position, the religious community can have a significant influence regarding preparedness and resiliency.
Lewis Saylor brings a positive message to clergy, lay leaders, and staff on how be prepared for disasters and emergencies. He is the current President of the Northern Virginia Regional VOAD, as well as a member of the Faith Communities In Action Interfaith Emergency Planning Steering Committee (Fairfax County, VA). He is also a member of the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA). In November of 2009, VEMA announced that Lewis had become the first volunteer to be Certified in Virginia as an Emergency Management Volunteer. In April of 2010, VEMA honored Lewis with their inaugural "Volunteer Award" for his contribution to emergency management.
While building a 30+ year career related to planning, project management, and community relations (marketing / public relations / communication) in the fields of business, ministry, healthcare, and political campaigns, Lewis has invested substantial time as a preparedness advocate on a local, regional, and national level. His ministry experience as a former national executive director of a volunteer based chaplaincy program, past Director of Staff & Planning for a large church, and achieving Fellow status through the National Association of Church Business Administration has been particularly useful in crafting practical solutions for being ready for the unexpected.
His focus with preparedness includes developing material for use in religious settings, consulting, writing, and speaking before local, regional, and national audiences.
To learn more about preparedness for judicatory offices, associations, houses of worship, and faith based nonprofit organizations, contact Lewis.