October 24, 2024
DULUTH, Ga. – The Georgia Baptist Mission Board will be offering training on Sept. 17 for people who want to get involved with the state’s Disaster Relief ministry.
“This is a ministry that allows Georgia Baptists to truly bring help, hope and healing to the hurting,” said Dwain Carter, the state Mission Board’s Disaster Relief director. “It deploys teams of volunteers into disaster zones after tornados, hurricanes, floods, famines, or any other kind of calamity that negatively impacts lives.”
Earlier this year, a team of Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers even deployed to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war zone after Russia’s invasion.
Carter said the training event, the last one this year, will be held at Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez, Ga. It’s open to anyone to who wants to volunteer with disaster relief as well as to existing volunteers whose certifications are about to expire.
For experienced volunteers, the Mission Board also is offering training in assessment, chaplaincy and incident management.
The deadline for registering is Sept. 11.
Carter said the Mission Board also is offering a chainsaw training Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 at Hawhammock Baptist Church in Swainsboro, Ga. The deadline for registering for that training is Sept. 25.
“It’s vital that we have a well-trained group of volunteers for our chainsaw crews, especially after hurricanes or tornadoes strike,” Carter said. “This is dangerous work, and we want our volunteers to have the best possible training before being deployed.”
Besides helping to make people’s homes livable, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have led more than 50 people to Christ during deployments since last year.
“These volunteers are making a difference in the lives of disaster victims, all the while shining the light of Christ,” Carter said. “The Lord uses them in significant ways, and the door is open to anyone who would like to be a part of this important ministry. The first step is getting the necessary training.”
