IDES exists to meet the physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
IDES was started in 1970 by Milton and Janet Bates. Following a major cyclone that hit Bangladesh. They saw the utter destruction on the news. They knew they had to help. They prayed for God to reveal a way to unite the brotherhood of Independent Christian Churches of Christ.
The Bates wrote letters to bible college presidents and to key mission leaders and ministers. Nine men promised to help. In 1973 Milton and the nine men met at the North American Christian Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, and International Disaster Emergency Service was formed.
For the past 40 years, IDES has been the channel through which the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and individuals could offer help and hope to the poor and hurting in the world. Their disaster coordinators travel wherever disasters strike, helping people put back the pieces of their lives.
