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Crisis Response International, or CRI, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We train and deploy disaster relief volunteers from communities, churches and other independent organizations for the purpose of responding to disasters and compassion initiatives around the world.

CRI provides a framework for responding to disaster situations, We deliver resources to areas that would otherwise be off-limits to volunteers. Our specialized training avoids what the government calls “the second disaster” which refers to the chaos that often ensues when unplanned resources and untrained volunteers arrive on the scene.

We are able to also integrate with local, state, and federal response efforts when needed. We manage operations, resources, and personnel on the ground in order to provide relief and services that assist victims of disaster and crises. Volunteering with CRI requires the individual or group to complete CRI disaster relief training.

Do you want to be a responder and help our organization? Get Trained

Disaster Relief Training and Beliefs

We are always looking for kindred spirits with a passion for helping others. If you feel called to help in our disaster relief efforts, we strongly encourage you to train and become a responder! We offer free resources for everyday people to become effective responders when disaster strikes!

The most important thing here at Crisis Response International is our belief in Christ, and our statement of faith. The full content of what we believe can be read here. Understanding these beliefs is crucial to understanding CRI. First and foremost, we believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We also believe that God has called the Church to preach the gospel to all nations. Especially to remember the poor, and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. This ministry is an expression of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the kingdom of God. This speaks to why we do what we do here at CRI.

View Our Statement of Faith

Our History

It’s September of 2001, and Sean Malone is visiting family in New York when the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center took place. Sean was a former film technician, so he had access to lighting equipment at the time. Seeing this, Sean retrieved some of that equipment and brought it to Ground Zero. His goal being to provide lighting for the search and rescue operations. At Ground Zero, Sean felt the call of disaster response, and, because of his efforts, the vision of Crisis Response International began.

A few years later, Sean is moving his family to New Orleans to start a new venture with Paramount Pictures. But, this proved to be short-lived. Soon after their arrival, Hurricane Katrina made its way toward Louisiana. Sean and his family were able to get to safety before the disaster struck. Shortly after, they returned and hosted volunteers to cook food and serve the people.

After the hurricane, Sean and his family moved to Kansas City. It is here that the vision of Crisis Response International is fully developed. Sean is now the Founder and Director of our organization and leading us into a season of incredible impact locally, nationally, and around the world, bringing the gospel into some of the darkest situations.

In February of 2019, CRI purchased an 84-acre camp in Blue Ridge, VA. formerly known as “Camp Jaycee.” Thanks to generous partners, the property now serves as our headquarters for global disaster relief operations, crisis response training, and administrative offices. The camp is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside Jefferson National Forest with views of the historic Blue Ridge Parkway with easy access to the Appalachian Trail. Our facility enables us to run year-round events, mission schools as well as host retreats, church groups, and conferences. It also enables you to come for an overnight visit, volunteer with our staff or rent camp or book your next personal or church retreat.

Today, we are a leading disaster response organization, bringing light and hope to the darkest corners of the earth. To date, we trained over 12,000 responders around the world through our in-person training and online disaster relief training.

Our Accomplishments

  • Training and developing a disaster responder network of over 10,000 individuals.
  • Responding to major disasters including…
    • The Haiti Earthquake
    • Typhoon Haiyan – Philipines
    • Moore Oklahoma Tornadoes
    • The Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Meltdown
    • Syrian Refugee Crises in Iraq and Greece.
    • Yazidi Refugees in Iraq
    • Colorado Floods
    • Nepal Earthquake
    • Joplin Tornado
    • Hurricane Harvey, Sandy, Dorian, Florence, Maria, Matthew, Michael, Laura, Ike, Isaac, Gustav.
  • Developing a network of prepared churches, ministries, and individuals around the world who are ready to respond to crisis.

Do you want to be a responder and help our organization? Get Trained

Our Leadership

Sean Malone – CRI Founder and Director

Drawing from a background in the motion picture industry, Sean Malone returned to New York just days before the 9/11 attacks, where he played a crucial role in providing emergency lighting for search and rescue operations. His journey continued as Paramount Pictures sent him to New Orleans shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck, immersing him in extensive disaster relief efforts.

In 2007, Sean, alongside his wife Laura, founded Crisis Response International (CRI), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since its inception, CRI has trained over fifteen thousand volunteer responders and full-time crisis response missionaries, deploying them to some of the world’s most challenging crises and disasters. They persist in being at the right place and time with a worldwide community of CRI Responders who long to bring God’s love and care when people need it most. CRI remains at the forefront of training volunteers and mobilizing resources to bring relief where it’s needed most worldwide.

Book a Speaking Event with Sean Malone, founder and director of Crisis Response International is available to speak for your churchHe will inspire you to engage in the work of stepping out in evangelism, leadership, international relief ministry and much more. Sean’s story and work have been featured in major Christian publications including:

  • NewDay Long Island
  • Charisma
  • Channel 5 News Kansas City
  • Christian Post
  • Gospel Herald
  • New 4 Nashville
  • The Elijah List
  • News 12 Long Island
  • Many others

We’d count it a joy and an honor to share with your church or community group! Contact us today to book a date to have Sean speak in your city.

Invite Sean to Speak

CRI Board of Directors

Mike Hutchings

Dr. Michael Hutchings has 35 years of pastoral, church planting and “pastoring pastors” experience in a variety of church cultures, including Baptist, Vineyard, Willow Creek and Mennonite. In Peoria, Illinois, He is a leadership mentor, a pastor’s coach and is an advisor to a number of leadership teams of ministries and churches.

His ministry, “God Heals PTSD Foundation” creates curriculum and conducts “Healing Trauma and PTSD” training seminars throughout the world, in churches, ministry centers and military bases. He trains prayer ministers, clergy, chaplains and counselors to utilize a healing prayer model to bring restoration to those suffering with PTSD. His new book, “Supernatural Freedom from the Captivity of Trauma” is available through Destiny Image.

He has two doctoral degrees, and has worked as a licensed behavioral therapist in private practice counseling and was clinical coordinator for a counseling program serving homeless, runaway youth and their families.

He is currently the Director of Education for Global Awakening, an evangelistic ministry in Mechanicsburg, PA. He directs Dr. Randy Clark’s Global School of Supernatural Ministry and the Global Certification Programs. He is passionate about connecting pastors and leaders throughout the body of Christ to come together for transformation in their cities, and he strives to equip others to minister healing and wholeness to the world.. He has been married to his wife, Roxanne for 40 years, and has three children and five grandchildren.

Garth Schultheis

Garth Schultheis is happily married to his wife Kirsten Schultheis for 29 years, has 2 children, Brooke Schultheis Searle and Skylar Schultheis. A son in law, Riley Searle, a grandson, Sören, 3 years old and a granddaughter, Avery, due in July 2023.

Garth is an entrepreneur and is a Colorado real estate agent who started his career in 1989, has brokered, purchased, managed and created partnerships. He has experience with everything from spec homes, multifamily apartment complexes, condo conversions, individual rentals, commercial buildings with commercial tenants.

Garth studied business administration with a concentration in Marketing, starting off at the The Citadel Military College for 2 years and finishing his degree at Indiana University School of Business in 1991.

Garth’s company Durango Capital Properties has owned and operated over $70MM worth of real estate, and over 800 units in Southwest Colorado.
Garth and Kirsten since 1998 have always been active in local church leadership, missions, teachers and the director of Durango House of Prayer. Garth first heard of Cri in 2008 and joined as a volunteer in 2014. He has served on Deployment in Iraq, Texas, Nepal, Ukraine and Turkey.

Karen Wyatt

Karen and her husband Mike have been with CRI since 2015. Karen was filled with the Holy Spirit in 1971 and she and Mike considered themselves missionaries while he served 23 years in the military. While stationed at Ft. Riley, Karen was the founder/director of Life Choice Ministries (a pregnancy crisis center) which is still in operation today.

After Mike’s retirement from his years of service, he and Karen moved back home to Tennessee and Karen started several businesses including log home sales, along with furnishings and decor shops. In 2017 Mike joined CRI staff as the Director of Deployment, first CRI HQ, in Kure Beach, until they moved in 2019 to the Blue Ridge, VA basecamp for the next three years. Due to health reasons they have retired to their home in Tennessee. “We are so honored to have worked alongside Sean and Laura and the CRI community for over 8 years! The faith, deep intimacy with Jesus, integrity, grit, tenacity, and endurance exemplified by these two is truly a rare find!