|
|
Disaster Relief
|
William Carey Baptist Association
January 29, 2013
Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) recently released the 2013 Disaster Relief training dates on their WEB site: www.tnbaptist.org. Click on: Mission/ministry, then Disaster Relief, then training opportunities for a complete list of available training, location and dates. All Disaster Relief volunteers must be trained and certified to serve on a team in the field.
William Carey Baptist Association's (WCBA) Disaster Relief team will be coordinating this required training. However, we need the help of our churches to get the word out to their congregation. We are urging our pastors and church staff to make this information available thru your newsletter, bulletin, announcements, etc. Please encourage any of your members that may want to get involved in Disaster Relief to contact our Association or any of our current team members.
Some facts about Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief Training:
All Volunteers must be 18 years old or older.
Be a member of a cooperative TBC Church
Take the "Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relied" Class.
Take one or more of the specialized classroom training.
Cost is $36.00 for certification. Certification will be good till 2016.
William Carey Baptist Association's Disaster relief Team Represented the Association and our local churches for the past six years. In this period of time we have seen our team respond to numerous disasters across the United States, serving in places like AL, MS, TX, OK, KS, CO, KY, OH, WI, NC, NJ and even in our own state of TN. The have helped communities recover from hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, and floods. It is our goal to be ready to respond to any disaster whenever TBC requests our team's help.
While our mission is to help homeowners clean up after a disaster that is not our primary goal. The most important aspect of our ministry is to be a witness for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We always make an attempt to get to know the homeowners we are working for and share with them the Love of Christ. On a number of occasions we have been able to lead a homeowner to Christ. ON our last trip while serving in NJ after Huricane Sandy, we saw ten accept Christ.
If any member of your congregation would like to be a part of this rewarding ministry, please have them contact one of the following:
WCBA a 433-3631, wcba@fpunet.com
Ken Mitchell at 425-6538, mlkenneth@bellsouth.net
Dickey Crutcher at 425-6773, Dickeyc1@bellsouth.net
Lyle Tipton at 993-1054, ltipton2@bellsouth.net
CONTACT US
CURRENT EVENTS
INTRODUCTION TO DISASTER RELIEF
INTRODUCTION TO BAPTIST BUILDERS
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
DISASTER RELIEF REPORT
TENNESSEE BAPTIST CONVENTION
DISASTER RELIEF REPORT 2009-2013
It is almost as if we do not have enough time nor volunteers to respond to all that we are called upon to do. However, I will say, our volunteers have been just super this past year. We have never turned down a trip because we could not get enough volunteers. This past year have seen us travel down to Louisiana to help work on a church to as far north as Alaska to help build a church. Our travels have taken us to the New England state of Rhode Island to help homeowners from flooding; to as far west as South Dakota, once again to help build a church. Our teams logged 5494 hours of volunteer work this past year. Considering our teams range in size from 6 up to 15, that is a lot of volunteer hours for some individuals. All I can say is: Thanks to each one of you.
Disaster Relief: The big news of 2010 of course is our on disaster here at home. April saw record rainfall and flooding in the Nashville area as well as other parts of Tennessee. We had teams in Nashville three times doing mostly damage assessment for Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC). We also took our team to Rhode Island in April-May to assist homeowners cleaning out their homes that had been flooded. Prior to that, we were in North Carolina after an ice storm struck there on Christmas day. Our team spent New Year’s Eve in Boone, NC, and even worked New Year day. WCBA was asked by TBC to host a bucket truck training session for middle Tennessee in April. We had a total of 12 that took this training, including four of our own team members. TBC has 2 bucket trucks, which was donated to them. By having our volunteers trained on the operation of these truck, means we will be able to use them locally if the need arises. In May we hosted a training sessions for our volunteers. Classes included the Introduction to Disaster Relief, Flood Recovery and Rebuild.
Baptist Builders: Our rebuild teams had an outstanding year of work. We worked with Samaritan’s Purse on a number of their projects this year. We started out in the Atlanta area helping homeowners rebuild homes that had been flooded the previous year. In February we travelled to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation at the request of Samaritan’s Purse. A local ministry there had the frame work of a large building that was put up the previous year. They need a team that could put the metal roof and siding on. While normally February and March in South Dakota can be cold, windy and snow, we had good weather for most of the time we were out there. We were able to get the job done before the weather finally turned bad. Gum Springs Baptist Church took the lead in taking a team to Venice, LA to help rebuild a church there that had been destroyed by hurricane Katrina. Gum Springs Baptist Church also led a team to Nashville to help rebuild homes from the spring floods. Flintville First Baptist Church also took a team to Nashville to help out. To both churches, thank you. Finally, I guess the highlight of the year was in late August when 15 of us flew to Alaska to team up with Samaritan’s Purse on a project in Marshall, AK. They built a church, parsonage and guest home. We had a good week, and made a lot of progress on the three buildings. It was also a time of good fellowship and devotion each day. It is always great to see Christian men and women that will sacrifice of their time and resources to do the work that needs to be done. And yet, have a good time doing it. For those of you that devoted so much this past year, all I can say is, “Thanks!”
Local Missions: While the number of request we had for local missions were down this year, we do continue to provide assistance whenever we can. Once again, most of the request was for removing trees from homeowner’s yard. We did have one rather large oak tree that was close to the house that posed somewhat of a challenge. We used the bucket truck training day as an opportunity to assist with this job. Since we had the volunteers and resources available that day, we were able to get the tree down with no problem. Another project included placing a blue tarp on a home that the roof had been leaking.
As we close out another year, we turn our thoughts to the upcoming year. While it is our prayer that our team will not be needed for disaster relief work, it is also my prayer that if we are called upon, our team will be willing to respond. Also, what the team is able to accomplish is in large part due to all the prayers from our local churches. It is also because of the financial support that we receive from some of our churches and individuals that we have the resources to go out unto the mission field. The need is out there; we must be willing to accept the challenge and continue to make that sacrifice!! If you, as an individual or our churches would like to contribute to our Association’s disaster relief program, either on a monthly basis or maybe a onetime contribution, please let me encourage you to do those.
To all who have made our team what it is today, I say THANK YOU and give GOD the Honor and Glory.
Respectfully Submitted
Jim Baird
Dickey Crutcher
Kenneth Mitchell
Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) recently released the 2013 Disaster Relief training dates on their WEB site: www.tnbaptist.org. Click on: Mission/ministry, then Disaster Relief, then training opportunities for a complete list of available training, location and dates. All Disaster Relief volunteers must be trained and certified to serve on a team in the field.
William Carey Baptist Association's (WCBA) Disaster Relief team will be coordinating this required training. However, we need the help of our churches to get the word out to their congregation. We are urging our pastors and church staff to make this information available thru your newsletter, bulletin, announcements, etc. Please encourage any of your members that may want to get involved in Disaster Relief to contact our Association or any of our current team members.
Some facts about Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief Training:
All Volunteers must be 18 years old or older.
Be a member of a cooperative TBC Church
Take the "Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relied" Class.
Take one or more of the specialized classroom training.
Cost is $36.00 for certification. Certification will be good till 2016.
William Carey Baptist Association's Disaster relief Team Represented the Association and our local churches for the past six years. In this period of time we have seen our team respond to numerous disasters across the United States, serving in places like AL,MS,TX,OK,KS,CO,KY,OH,WI,NC,NJ and even in our own state of TN. The have helped communities recover from hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, and floods. It is our goal to be ready to respond to any disaster whenever TBC requests our team's help.
While our mission is to help homeowners clean up after a disaster that is not our primary goal. The most important aspect of our ministry is to be a witness for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We always make an attempt to get to know the homeowners we are working for and share with them the Love of Christ. On a number of occasions we have been able to lead a homeowner to Christ. On our last trip while serving in NJ after Hurricane Sandy, we saw ten accept Christ.
If any member of your congregation would like to be a part of this rewarding ministry, please have them contact one of the following:
WCBA a 433-3631, wcba@fpunet.com
Ken Mitchell at 425-6538, mlkenneth@bellsouth.net
Dickey Crutcher at 425-6773, Dickeyc1@bellsouth.net
Lyle Tipton at 993-1054, ltipton2@bellsouth.net
|
Contact us
| |
I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that adideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. John 15:5
CONTACT US:
William Carey Baptist Association Disaster Relief and Baptist Builders coordinators.
DISASTER INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER:
In case of a disaster in Lincoln County, an incident command center can be opened at the William Carey Baptist Association office:
PHONE: 931-433-3631
FAX: 931-433-3637
EMAIL: wcba@fpunet.com
WEB: www.williamcarey.org
|
|
Current Events and History
|
WILLIAM CAREY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION DISASTER RELIEF AND REBUILD FACT SHEET
The disaster relief and rebuild program is a cooperative, volunteer ministry of William Carey Baptist Association (WCBA) and its churches. It is totally dependent upon volunteers who give of their time, energy, talents and finances to assist others in time of disasters or needs. Volunteers are trained and certified in specific areas by trainers supplied by Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC). Originally formed in the late 90’s, the team did not flourish until 2005. In October 2005, just a few short weeks after Hurricane Katrina, a group of volunteers from WCBA served in Gulfport, MS assisting homeowners clear their property of downed trees and other debris. Upon returning home, several of these volunteers decided to explore the possibilities of WCBA establishing a more permanent and active team. After an intensive recruitment drive in early 2006, we were able to sign up and train 77 men and women in the “Introduction to Disaster Relief”. These volunteers went on to take additional training in areas of chain saw safety and operations, flood recovery, damage assessment, rebuild, laundry and shower operations, child care and crew chief. This training is done using TBC’s trainers and must be updated every three years in order to maintain their status as volunteers. Today, our team serves Tennessee Baptist Convention, Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board, and Samaritan’s Purse.
LOCAL MISSION TEAM
The goal of our local mission team is to assist homeowners with minor home repairs, building handicap ramps, removing dead trees from yards. Over the past few years we have been called on to repair leaking roofs, repairing leaking plumbing, repairing rotted flooring. Our team assisted a local church to repair a basement wall and installing a metal roof for another church.
LOCAL MISSION PROJECTS
2008- Approximately 151 man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
Aug. 14th, 2008
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
Nov. 6th, 2008
|
Construction of hand rails
|
Huntland, TN
|
2
|
|
Nov. 26th, 2008
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
9
|
|
Sept. 4th, 2008
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
4
|
|
Sept. 4th, 2008
|
Removal of out building
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
7
|
|
Sept. 4th, 2008
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
6
|
2009-Approximately 254 man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
July 16th, 2009
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
2
|
|
July 28th, 2009
|
Roof Repair
|
Corder’s Cross Roads
|
3
|
|
Oct. 3rd, 2009
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
2
|
|
Oct. 10, 2009
|
Tornado damage
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
Nov. 3rd, 2009
|
Tree trimming
|
WCBA Ministry Center
|
1
|
|
Nov. 4th, 2009
|
Church basement repair
|
Friendship Baptist Church
|
14
|
|
Nov. 6th, 2009
|
Tree Removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
2
|
|
Dec. 1st, 2009
|
Construction of pump house
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
4
|
|
Dec. 10th, 2009
|
Porck deck repair
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
4
|
2010-Approximately 506 man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
Jan. 27th, 2010
|
Tarp roof
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
March 20th, 2010
|
Large tree removal
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
18
|
|
April 10th, 2010
|
Removal of 5 trees
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
8
|
|
Nov. 30th, 2010
|
Removal of 2 trees
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
10
|
|
Dec. 8th, 2010
|
Construction of handicap ramp
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
Dec. 8th, 2010
|
Installation of metal roof
|
Huntland Missionary Baptist Church
|
10
|
2011-Approximately 88 man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
Jan. 19th, 2011
|
Build Handicap Ramp
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
Aug. 18th, 2011
|
Porch/Deck Repairs
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
6
|
|
April 13th, 2011
|
Remove Dead Trees
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
4
|
2012-Approximately xxx man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
July 7th, 2012
|
Erect portable building for disaster relief
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
12
|
|
July 21st, 2012
|
construct shelving for disaster relief building
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
9
|
|
|
Remove trees from back yard
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
|
2013-Approximately 2078 man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
Jan 7th, 2013
|
Remove dead tree from yard (16 hours)
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
4
|
| Feb 2nd, 2013 |
Build handicap Ramp (48 hours) |
Park City, TN |
8 |
| Apr-Jun, 2013 |
Repair home (2012 hours) |
Ardmore, TN |
6 |
| May-Jun, 2013 |
Repair mobile home (42 hours) |
Fayetteville TN |
5
|
2014- Approximately 423 man-hours on local projects
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS
|
|
Jan. 24th, 2014
|
Clear water damaged home (22 hours)
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
Mar.-Apr., 2014
|
Clean Burned out home(328 hours)
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
24
|
|
Mar.-Apr., 2014
|
Repairs on church (56 hours)
|
Molino, TN
|
6
|
|
Apr. 14th, 2014
|
Construct handicap ramp (17 hours)
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISASTER RELIEF TEAM
The purpose of WCBA’s disaster relief team is to provide assistant to homeowners in the clean-up of their property after a disaster, either natural or man-made. The areas that we focus on are: damage assessment, chain saw operation, flood recovery and fire recovery. In order to meet the homeowner’s needs in restoring their property, we needed to acquire the necessary tools. In 2006-2007, we solicited help from churches and individuals in acquiring these tools. To date our team is well equipped to perform most of all the tasks assigned. Also, in early 2007 we were able to purchase an enclosed 16 foot, dual axle trailer to store and transport this equipment.
WCBA DISASTER RELIEF RESPONSES
|
DATES:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO. VOLUNTEERS:
|
|
July 12th – 21st, 2007
|
Flood recovery team (flooding)
|
Neodesha, KS
|
4
|
|
Aug. 28th – Sept 5th, 2007
|
Flood recovery team (flooding
|
Mansfield, Ohio
|
6
|
|
Dec. 15th – 23rd, 2007
|
Chain saw team (ice storm)
|
Collinsville, OK
|
10
|
|
Feb. 13th – 15th, 2008
|
Chain saw team (tornado)
|
Lafayette, TN
|
9
|
|
June 21st – 28th, 2008
|
Flood recovery team (flooding)
|
Muscoda, W
|
9
|
|
July 18th – 25th, 2008
|
Flood recovery team (flooding)
|
Wapello, IA
|
10
|
|
Sept. 28th – Oct. 4th, 2008
|
Chain saw team (hurricane)
|
Hamshire, TX
|
11
|
|
Feb. 1st – 7th, 2009
|
Chain saw team (ice storm)
|
Princeton, KY
|
8
|
|
Feb. 15th – 21st, 2009
|
Chain saw team (ice storm)
|
Princeton, KY
|
2
|
|
May 21st – 26th, 2009
|
Chain saw team (tornado)
|
Marion, IL
|
4
|
|
Aug. 23rd – 28th, 2009
|
Chain saw team (flooding)
|
Louisville, KY
|
9
|
|
Oct. 10th 2009
|
Chain saw team (tornado)
|
Fayetteville, TN
|
5
|
|
Dec. 29th, 2009–Jan. 6th, 2010
|
Chain saw team (ice storm)
|
Boone, NC
|
7
|
|
April 25th – May 3rd, 2010
|
Flood recovery team (flooding)
|
Exeter, RI
|
7
|
|
May 6th – 12th,-2010
|
Assessment team (flooding)
|
Nashville, TN
|
6
|
|
May 23rd,-2010
|
Assessment team (flooding)
|
Nashville, TN
|
4
|
|
June 19th – 25th, 2010
|
Flood recovery team (flooding)
|
Nashville, TN
|
5
|
|
July 12th, 2010
|
Assessment team (flooding)
|
Nashville, TN
|
2
|
|
Oct. 10th – 16th, 2010
|
Flood recovery team (flooding)
|
Windsor, NC
|
3
|
| Jan 20th - 2011 |
Chain Saw Team (Wind) |
Fayetteville, TN |
4 |
| May 27th, 2011 |
Chain Saw Team (Wind) |
Fayetteville, TN |
4 |
| June 20th, 2011 |
Chain Saw Team (Wind) |
Fayetteville, TN |
3 |
| June 25th, 2011 |
Chain Saw Team (Wind)
|
Fayetteville, TN |
3 |
|
Sept 4th - Sept 11th, 2011
|
Chain Saw Team (Fire) |
Barstop, TX |
4 |
|
Mar 8th - Mar 13th, 2012
|
Chain Saw Team (Tornado) |
Ooltewah, TN |
6 |
| Nov 6th - Nov 14th, 2012 |
Chain Saw Team (Hurricane) |
Toms River, NJ
|
9(12) |
| Jan 31th - Feb 2nd, 2013 |
Chain Saw Team (Tornado) |
Bethel Springs, TN |
8 |
|
Feb 17th - Feb 23rd, 2013
|
Chain Saw Team (Tornado)
|
Petal, MS |
9(12) |
|
May 26th - June 2nd, 2013
|
Chain Saw Team (Tornado)
|
|
12
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
WCBA REBUILD TEAM
The goal of WCBA’S rebuild team is to provide assistant to homeowners that suffered damage to their property after a disaster. This could be either repairing their homes or even building new homes. We also assist churches in doing repairs or help in building new church buildings. We assist the elderly and handicapped homeowners by doing minor repairs and building handicap ramps and or rails. WCBA rebuild team is equipped to do most construction projects. From October 2007 through January 2009 we were involved in the construction of over 60 new homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast that were lost as a result of Hurricane Katrina
WCBA REBUILD PROJECTS
|
DATE:
|
EVENT:
|
LOCATION:
|
NO.VOLUNTEERS:
|
|
July 29th – Aug. 4th, 2007
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
30
|
|
Oct. 14th – 20th, 2007
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
8
|
|
Sept. 14th - 20th, 2008
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
8
|
|
Sept. 21st – 26th, 2008
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
12
|
|
Oct. 5th – 11th, 2008
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
7
|
|
Oct. 26th – Nov. 1st, 2008
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
9
|
|
Jan. 11th – 17th, 2009
|
New construction-homes
|
Pass Christian, MS
|
18
|
|
April 13th –17th, 2009
|
New construction-church
|
Ethridge, TN
|
18
|
|
Sept. 19th – 29th, 2009
|
New construction-homes
|
Eagle, AK
|
5
|
|
Oct. 5th – 9th, 2009
|
Repairs home & warehouse
|
Princeton, KY
|
7
|
|
Feb. 15th – 20th, 2010
|
Repair flood damaged homes
|
Dallas, GA
|
7
|
|
Feb. 27th – March 9th, 2010
|
New construction worship center
|
Pine Ridge SD
|
12
|
|
Aug. 2nd – 4th, 2010
|
Repair flood damaged homes
|
Mashville, TN
|
8
|
|
Aug. 9th – 12th, 2010
|
Repair flood damaged homes
|
Nashville, TN
|
5
|
|
Aug. 20th – 29th, 2010
|
New construction, new church/homes
|
Marshall, AK
|
|
|
March 22nd - April 3rd,2011
|
New Construction, Multi-purpose
|
|
27 |
|
Apr 25th-Oct 5th, 2011
|
New Construction-Home
|
Belfast, TN
|
16
|
|
Jul 17th-Aug 1st, 2011
|
Rebuild Damaged homes
|
Onagawa, Japan
|
8
|
|
Aug 21st-Sep 1st 2011
|
New Construction, Church
|
Woody Island, AK
|
12
|
|
Aug 12th-Aug 18th, 2012
|
New Construction, Ed. Bldg
|
Soldotna, AK (team 1)
|
6
|
|
Aug 19th - Aug 25th, 2012
Aug 17th- Aug 26th ,2013
|
New Construction, Ed Bldg
New Church Construction
|
Soldotna, AK
(team 2)
Nome, AK
|
5
14
|
|
|
|
| |
William Carey Disaster Relief is a volunteer ministry of the William Carey Baptist Association. Volunteers are drawn from churches belonging to the association.
Our Goals are:
FIRST: Provide assistance to our local community should a disaster strike. We are prepared to work with local authorities such as Emergency Management Agency and local utilities in clearing down trees on roads and utilities right-of-ways. We can assist American Red Cross in emergency shelter managements and mass feeding.
SECOND: Be prepared to respond to a disaster of any size, any where when called upon by TBC.
SERVICES THAT CAN BE PROVIDED DURING A DISASTER RESPONSE:
| |
-
CHAIN SAW TEAMS
- CLEAN-UP TEAMS
- MUD OUT (FLOOD RECOVERY)
|
|
|
|
| |
The association currently has two chain saws with a number of volunteers certified by TBC.
REQUIREMENTS TO BE A VOLUNTEER:
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
The Baptist Builders Program is a volunteer construction ministry that provides an opportunity for you to share Christ by using your skills to help build churches or repair homes for those in need.
SKILLS NEEDED:
Painting, electrical, pluming, roofing, sheet rock, carpentry, tile work, bricklaying, HVAC, flooring, landscaping, cleanup and general helpers.
Get involved in the Volunteer Construction Ministry of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
TBC will notify William Carey Association when a construction project is in need of volunteers. The association coordinators will then attempt to put a team together to assist.
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST REBUILD PROJECT: TBC has an ongoing rebuild project in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Association will from time to time put together teams to assist. To volunteer: contact one of the Association's Coordinators.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
REQUIREMENTS TO BE A VOLUNTEER:
BAPTIST BUILDERS CAN GET INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION MINISTRIES SUCH AS:
Church construction, Handyman ministry, disaster rebuild (up to 3 years after the initial disaster event), home repair, new home construction, church maintenance legacy ministry (repair homes of retired pastors and/or their widows). All of these can be on mission trips or in our community.
|
All Disaster Relief Training is provided by the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC). This training is normally provided at the beginning of each year. All volunteers must receive the "introduction to Disaster Relief: training course. This course is approximately 3 hours in duration. All volunteers must complete this course before taking one of the specialize courses. The Association can schedule this course when enough volunteers express an interest in it.
Regional disaster relief training courses are scheduled by TBC, normally starting in Jan of each year and running through May. 5-6 training sessions per year are scheduled around the state. The association will keep volunteers informed of these training opportunity when TBC releases the schedules.
CLASSES OFFERED DURING THE REGIONAL TRAINING INCLUDE:
|
| |
| |
CHAIN SAW OPERATION AND SAFETY
CHAPLAINCY
CHILD CARE
CREW CHIEF
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
|
FLOOD RECOVERY
FORKLIFT CERTIFICATION
MASS FEEDING
REBUILD
SHOWER/LAUNDRY
|
In order to be certified for disaster relief with the Tennessee Baptist Convention - you must be a member of a Southern Baptist Church and at least 18 years of age. Also, to be certified and receive an ID badge, you must in addition to taking the introduction to disaster relief take at least one of the classes offered at the regional training. The ID badge is required to go out on a disaster relief trip.
|
Report
DISASTER RELIEF REPORT
2007-2008
We do serve an AWESOME GOD! It was just one year ago that we shared a dream, a vision if you will, with you in our last annual report. That dream was to build a combination storage and work shop, replace the small trailer with a larger unit and to acquire more tool and equipment.
Today we have that building. An 18 x 26 structure, built with funds contributed by our churches. A lot of the material was donated by local businesses. All of the labor was by loving, caring volunteers. Thanks to all of you that had a part in making this a success story. Praise God!
We also have that larger trailer. We purchased a 16 foot, duel axle unit with money left over from the building fund and the sale of the smaller unit. This unit has been a blessing to those of us that go out on disaster relief trips. We can now take all of our equipment when responding to a disaster.
A year ago, we had two chain saws, a generator and a trash pump. We had a few small hand tools but little else. Today we are blessed with a wealth of items. We now have six chain saws and other tools and equipment to numerous to list. Some were donated by individuals, such as the chain saws, and others were donated by our churches and businesses. This was answered prayer. Yes, we did have a list of items we needed that we prayed over. Thanks to those that contributed.
Disaster Relief efforts: This past year has been a busy time for our team members. It started in December 2007 when we traveled to Collinsville, Oklahoma to assist with ice storm damage. We spent a week there doing chain saw work. In February of this year we were in Lafayette, TN, again doing chain saw work after the tornado touched down in Macon county. June of this year saw us in Muscoda, Wisconsin assisting with flood recovery. In July we went to Wapello, Iowa to help them recover from a flood. Most recently, in September we were in Texas doing both chain saw and flood recovery. On all of these trips, we were out for seven to eight days. So yes, it has been a busy year.
Baptist Builders: We made several trips to the Mississippi Gulf Coast this past year. We took a large group down in October 2007 and again in March 2008. After hurricane Gustav hit the coast in September, it did some damage to a house that construction had just started on a few weeks prior. Essentially it blew the roof off. William Carey Assn. was asked if they could team together and dry the house in. We took a team down on the 14th of September which got the roof back on and closed in the front of the house. On the 21st of September, we had a second team that went down. They got the shingles on, closed in the back side, framed out the upstairs and put on some siding. A third team went down on the 5th of October to finish up the siding and do the wiring. It was during the first week of work on this house that we had a terrible accident. As a result, a friend of the homeowner lost his life at the job site. The next day, after one of our team members witnessed to the homeowner, she accepted the Lord Jesus as Saviour.
Local missions: This is an area that we feel is ripe for harvest. Our Association has been able to reach out to several occasions to help local residents. Most of the work has been in the area of removing trees from resident’s yards. We did have one job assisting a homeowner in repairing their home. As a result of the work done and being able to witness to this couple, both husband and wife accepted Jesus as their Savior and were baptized at Gum Springs this past August. Praise God!
Our biggest concern as we start our new year has to be the lack of volunteers. We need more folks to become involved. Once again, remember what Jesus said in Matt. 9:37-38. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest”. If God has burdened your heart about being a part of this ministry, please get involved.
Thanks to all the churches and individuals that has given so much to make our disaster relief program what it is today. Thanks for your prayers, and we ask that you continue to pray for us, especially when we are out on trips. Pray for the safety of our team members.
To Him, Give the Praise!
Submitted by: Jim Baird and Ken Mitchell
Disaster Relief Co-Directors
|
|
