Like it or not, we're into fall, which means winter is just a season away. In the Ozarks, we know we’re more likely than not to get a storm with ice or snow that cripples all or part of the area. While we often hear about the separation of church and state, in this case, they're looking to work together to make their response efforts most effective.

The words spoken by Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday aren't those commonly associated with executive orders.

"Reading from Matthew 25 . . . ,” he said.

For the crowd at South Haven Baptist Church, however, it fit. They’re involved in the Faith-based Disaster Response Initiative.

"You don't have to look that far back to think of a disaster,” said Greene County Emergency Management Director Ryan Nicholls.

Nicholls would know. He's seen several in the last couple years: a tornado that ripped the roof off a school in Republic, another storm that demolished part of Fair Grove High School.

Those instances had more in common than where they happened. In the aftermath, churches stepped up. Calvary Baptist allowed Republic Elementary-3 to use its facility for classes. Second Baptist Church in Springfield hosted Fair Grove's high school graduation last spring.

“Faith based groups have been there, just doing it on their own.” "We've had churches set up shelters, and were upset because no one came. No one came because no one knew they were open."

They're hoping to change that.

"We've been able to do some networking."

"The local faith community needs to be able to reach out and determine what it's best suited to do."

Josh Mathews' church in Republic has a basement -- and can serve as a shelter, as it has in the past.

"I've had people come up to me and say ‘I'm in Greene County. You're my director. What can I do to help?’” said Nicholls.

As Nicholls and others make lists, they continue to look -- both outward and upward -- for a little help.