Remember, as we cover in training, ALL DISASTERS ARE LOCAL - SO RESPOND.  When a disaster occurs in your area, respond to that incident.  Contact your Ministry Area DR Coordinator if you need assisatance or guidance.  They will conduct an Area wide call out if needed or contact the State Director for a state wide call out.  At the conclusion of your response, contact your Ministry Area DR Coordinator to report what you have done.  It all begins with you at the local level.

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At 10:05 am on Thursday Ausust 28th we were placed on ALERT by NAMB in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.
 
We have the following needs
 
Feeding Team (Feeding Unit #2) - 16 volunteers
2 Recovery Units - 20 Volunteers (including assessors)
 
We will also be bringing the following units and will need trucks/drivers to move them:
 
Shower Unit #1
Water Closet
IC Post
50 KW Generator.
 
Currently I do not know:
 
Where we will be going
When we will be going
Where we will be staying
any other information
 
As this develops I will keep those who respond to be on alert informed.
 
 
If you are available to go - Please email me at mgauthier@sbcv.org and provide:

Name
Email
Phone
Available dates
 
 
 
Some of you may have volunteered to go to Waveland MS with Baptist Builders in October.  That trip is STILL on.  Please do not abandon us in our effort to continue our Katrina Recovery effort!
 
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Here is a brief summary of SBCV Disaster Relief responses in 2008;

Jan - Ice storm in Missouri

Feb - Wild Fires in Virginia

Mar - Feeding teams to New Orleans

Apr - Tornado in Virginia

May - Floods in Maine

Jun - Floods in Indiana and Wisconsin

Jul - Floods in Iowa

Aug - Tornado in New Hampshire

As you can see our teams have been busy (at least one team out every month), and we still have the hurricane season to go.  Please be in prayer for our Disaster Relief Volunteers as they minister in His name.

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Serving Christ in Crisis
There seems to be no area of mission action that requires more rapid response than a time of disaster.  The disaster comes unexpectedly, as does the opportunity for immediate ministry.  If we are unprepared when it strikes and delay action, the opportunity passes with the urgent need.

We believe that Southern Baptists are under scriptural and moral obligation to all mankind to provide a positive witness of the love of Jesus Christ.  Disasters affect many people.  Christians naturally respond to the hurts of those around them and feel an obligation to minister in the name of Jesus Christ.  He calls for His people to demonstrate love in the relief of victims in disasters through the efficient and immediate use of the resources, time, and talents entrusted to us by our Lord.  Christians working together can accomplish much for the glory of God.

Serving those whose lives have been disrupted is the very act that Jesus commanded in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).  Jesus ministered to people He met each day.  The miracles He performed were answers to the needs of those with whom He came in contact.  There were times when He ministered to the masses with miracles (feeding the 5,000 and 4,000), but most of His miracles were performed for individuals with specific needs.

Churches should plan for and train their members to work with individuals caught in crisis.  They also should plan and prepare for disasters that may affect their communities.  As you become involved in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, you will see how you can lead your church to becoming involved in planning and serving the world we live in.

SBCV Disaster Relief Goal
To assist churches in preparing for disaster by developing a strategy to minister to their communities during crisis through readying their facilities, training their members, securing supplies, and developing protocols that will activate their disaster response plans.  Our ultimate goal is to be able to share the love of Christ through sharing the Gospel.  Interested in knowing what happens after disaster relief efforts roll out?  Check out all that the Baptist Builders are doing right now in the Gulf!

North American Mission Board (NAMB) Disaster Relief Web Site:
NAMB
NAMB News Letter