While none of the nation's worst Y2K fears materialized, the leader of a ministry that encouraged churches to prepare for calamity believes the effort was worth it.

Shaunti Feldhahn, whose book on the millennium bug was a best seller, said the message of being ready to minister in case of a crisis helped counteract doomsday survivalists' propaganda.

"Maybe for the first time a church started a mercy ministry because of the potential for problems," said the founder of Joseph Project 2000. "Well, hallelujah. They're doing what Jesus has always called us to do."

Based in Atlanta, Joseph Project 2000 urged churches nationwide to form networks to help communities in the event of Y2K disruptions. Helping the body of Christ to prepare to be a blessing to their communities was not a futile exercise, she said.

Formerly an analyst with the Federal Reserve system, Feldhahn said she realized beforehand if she succeeded in convincing people to make adequate preparations that she could wind up looking foolish.

She credits prayer and taking the threat seriously—an Associated Press report today said Americans spent $100 billion correcting potential computer snafus—with averting a crisis.

The author of Y2K: The Millennium Bug: A Balanced Christian Response also recognizes some will criticize her for writing a book to enrich herself. But Feldhahn said she donated the bulk of her royalties from the sale of approximately 250,000 copies to her church and the Joseph Project.

"I haven't earned any salary for the one and a half years I've worked on this," she said. "I hope that shows I've tried to be obedient and pure of heart in following what the Lord wanted me to do."

Mike Hyatt, whose two books on the millennium bug were also best sellers, is warning ...