Disaster Relief

The Alabama Baptist State Convention has 5,400 trained volunteers ready to respond to crisis at home in North America and around the world. Whenever disaster strikes, churches, associations, and state resources deploy to minister with one goal in mind: To give a cold cup of water in Jesus’ name.

By meeting both physical and spiritual needs for communities in crisis, the missions message of communicating the Gospel becomes a very real and vital tool in the arsenal to combat sin and offer Hope to those in need. Through cooperative program support from Alabama Baptist churches and the dedication of those committed to the ministry of disaster relief, Alabama continues to be a vital link as part of the greater Southern Baptist family who, when combined with other state conventions, comprise the world’s largest relief organization.

Perhaps you would be willing to join the ranks of one of Alabama’s most effective ministry tools used in spreading the Gospel. There are many ways and opportunities to serve and be trained. Through the Office of Global Missions, Disaster Relief can provide training to your church or association to form team or strengthen an existing unit. Listed below are some of the ministry opportunities open to those ready to serve:

· Mass Feeding - offers essential and well balanced meals to evacuees and those without resources to care for families effected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other catastrophic events.

· Chain saw/Cleanup/Recovery - works along side other emergency personnel to aid communities during the aftermath of mass destruction as first responders in the rebuild process.

· Childcare - provides a safe place to minister to children during crisis and provides a much needed resource for parents and families that need time to take care of details important to begin rebuilding lives and property.

· Administration - offers a way to keep track of state and volunteer resources used to mitigate an ongoing response by collecting and maintaining essential data that tracks and communicates information for local, state, and federal agencies.

· Communications - when the phone lines are down and cell towers have been disabled, life saving communication becomes essential. Our HAM radio network is ready to respond.

· International Airlift Kitchen - can deploy in 24 to 48 hours around the world and is often called upon to serve in other countries.

· Shower Trailer Support - helps both victims and volunteers with hygiene until local resources can be restored.

· Laundry Units - are yet another way to help others help themselves.

· Chaplaincy - reaches beyond the physical to complete a holistic response by helping with the emotional and spiritual needs that impact individuals and families.

Learn more about how you, your church, or association can become involved by contacting the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Missionary Personnel:

Mel R. Johnson, State Disaster Relief Director

mjohnson@alsbom.org 1-800-264-1225 ext. 389

Mondene Coker, Ministry Assistant

mcoker@alsbom.org 1-800-264-1225 ext. 273

For Disaster Relief training information visit sbdr.com.