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Download a shorter version (2 minutes): https://vimeo.com/69562921
DISASTER RELIEF:
Disaster Relief is a ministry-based approach to impacting people for the Kingdom of God. Our motto of Serving Christ in Crisis has two implications:
1. We serve Christ to those persons who are victims of disaster.
2. When we minister to persons in need, we are serving Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40).
The goal of Disaster Relief is to provide some measure of normalcy for the victims of a disaster event.
PLANNING:
We offer two opportunities for planning for disaster response:
1. Individuals who want to serve as credentialed Disaster Relief volunteers need to attend a Disaster Relief Orientation event. Click the Training tab above for a list of current training events.
2. Churches who want basic information on how to minister during the time of a disaster can host a seminar on Family and Church Preparation.
OPPORTUNITIES:
Disasters provide many opportunities for believers to be the “hands and feet of Jesus”. Many people have a natural and emotional desire to help other people when tragedy strikes. In order to be the most effective, here are some thoughts to keep in mind:
> Attend one of our scheduled Disaster Relief Orientation events. Click the Training tab above for a current listing.
> Find out where and how we are responding by clicking the Updates tab above.
> The best response is Prayer and Financial Support. Please refrain from collecting unsolicited items and please do not self deploy.
Questions? Contact Us Now
CURRENT RESPONSES:
HURRICANE MICHAEL – UPDATED: 11-9-18:
We are in the process of transitioning from Disaster Relief credentialed teams to church teams for continued, long term recovery and rebuild in the areas affected by Hurricane Michael.
We are still in the process of compiling information to help connect churches with a church/community in the affected area. If you are interested in adopting a place of ministry, contact us and we will do all we can to help connect you to an area.
NOTE: Because of the Georgia Baptist Annual Meeting (November 12-13, 2018), we will begin fielding request calls starting Thursday, November 15.
2018 DEPLOYMENT RESULTS – YTD
- 297 Gospel Presentations
- 49 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH
- 2,255 Volunteer Days
- 84,425 Meals Prepared
- 900 Assessments
- 22 Mudout Jobs Completed
- Pressure Washes
- Mold Remediations
- 218 Chainsaw Jobs Completed
- Tear Outs/Repair Jobs
- 121 Roofs Tarped
- 7 Children Cared For
- Showers Completed
- Laundry Loads
- Communication Messages
- 1,361 Chaplaincy Contacts
- 10 Other Decisions
- 1,587 Ministry Contacts
2017 DEPLOYMENT RESULTS – YTD
- 360 Gospel Presentations
- 32 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH
- 2,373 Volunteer Days
- 20,302 Meals Prepared
- 443 Assessments
- 107 Mudout/Tearout Jobs Completed
- Pressure Washes
- Mold Remediations
- 217 Chainsaw Jobs Completed
- Tear Outs/Repair Jobs
- 107 Roofs Tarped
- 33 Children Cared For
- Showers Completed
- Laundry Loads
- Communication Messages
- 1,373 Chaplaincy Contacts
- 74 Other Decisions
- 1,347 Ministry Contacts
DISASTER RELIEF ORIENTATION (Required for All Volunteers)
At this credentialing session, you will receive an introduction to the overall ministry of Disaster Relief, 3 ministry areas (Child Care, Cleanup & Recovery, and Feeding), and Evangelism Encouragement. Once you become a credentialed Disaster Relief volunteer, recertification is required every 2 years.
NOTES:
- If your Primary Unit assignment is Child Care, Cleanup & Recovery, or Feeding, Recertification can be accomplished at this training.
- If your Primary Unit assignment is Chaplaincy or Communications (Unit 14C) and your credentials expired or are expiring this year, attending this training will update your credentials and cross train you as a Universal Yellow Hat.
NEW AND IMPROVED SCHEDULE!
Saturday:
- 7:00 – 9:00 AM: Registration/Check-in (Please arrive no later than 8:15 AM)
- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Orientation
Online registration is easy:
- Click the link below for the orientation you want to register for.
- If this is the first time you have registered online, click the “Don’t have an account? Sign Up” to the right of the “Sign In” button.
- Complete the information and click “Create an Account”.
- You will receive an email with the information to activate your account and register for the event.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2019:
Zion Baptist Church, Marietta
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 27, 2019
Click here to register online.
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MARCH 2, 2019
Northside Baptist Church, Milledgeville
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February 24, 2019
Click here to register online.
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APRIL 6, 2019
Byron Baptist Church, Byron
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 31, 2019
Click here to register online.
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AUGUST 10, 2019
First Baptist Church Hinesville
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 4, 2019
Click here to register online.
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2019
Grace Baptist Church, LaGrange
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 8, 2019
Click here to register online.
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FEES: Credentialing Training Fees if received by the registration deadline.
First Time Orientation Training (Universal Yellow Hat)=$40, Recertification = $20
RECERTIFICATION
Required every 2 years to remain an active volunteer. This can be accomplished by attending any of the Disaster Relief Orientation events. Recertification will recertify you in all areas you are trained in.
CHAPLAINCY TRAINING:
Under our new training guidelines, the prerequisite for taking Chaplaincy training is completing Disaster Relief Orientation (becoming a Universal Yellow Hat) or having completed a Phase 1 training in any ministry area. (If you have attended Phase 1 Chaplaincy training, there is no need to complete this course.)
NOTE: Recertification CANNOT be accomplished at this training.
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Watch for upcoming dates!
IMT/SUPPORT TRAINING:
The prerequisite for attending IMT/Support training is completion of Disaster Relief Orientation (Universal Yellow Hat)/Phase 1 in any Ministry Area AND experience in the field. IMT/Support Training is offered each year as part of the Advanced Disaster Relief Training (ADRT). See ADVANCED DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING (ADRT): for dates, schedule, and registration.
ADVANCED DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING (ADRT):
This is a ministry area specific training, designed to explain the ministry in greater detail. This training helps to prepare the Disaster Relief volunteer to serve as a Team Leader or fulfill some special role. Recertification CANNOT be accomplished at this event. (NOTE: No walk-ins at this event please.)
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Watch for 2019 dates.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
None scheduled at this time.
CHAINSAW SCHOOLS
Chainsaw Schools begin at 8:00 AM on Friday morning with registration and conclude late Saturday afternoon. Disaster Relief Orientation (or Phase 1 in Cleanup & Recovery) is a prerequisite to attending Chainsaw School.
Space is limited and registrations are processed on a first come/first serve basis. (Training Fees may vary. See registration form for details.)
Watch for 2019 dates!
Privacy and Refund Policy for Training Events:
Your information is held securely by the Fellowship One system. This information will remain private and will never be given away to third parties, other than to process your scheduled payments.
You can register and pay online for events by their registration deadline. Once a paid registration has been processed online, it cannot be cancelled online. If there are any problems or questions related to this, please contact the Disaster Relief office at 770-936-5254, pficarra@gabaptist.org, or Disaster Relief, 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097.
ONGOING EFFORTS
If you would like to donate to the Georgia Baptist ministry of Disaster Relief, you can do so in the following ways:
To mail a donation, please make checks payable to Disaster Relief and mail to:
Disaster Relief
Georgia Baptist Mission Board
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
OR
Online Donations:
Click here to donate to the Disaster Relief General Fund
DISASTER RELIEF PATCH PLACEMENTS
Click here to download the diagram for placement of Disaster Relief patches.
Click on the form name to download:
(All forms are provided in a PDF format and as a Word Document.)
*Using the FILLABLE option, please follow these instructions:
- DOWNLOAD form and SAVE to your computer. ( Do not complete the form in your web browser as it may not print correctly.)
- Complete each blank “blue” field. (Note: When finished, it is suggested that you SAVE the completed form to your computer. If you do not SAVE it, the information you entered will be lost when the form is closed.
- DO NOT SIGN OR DATE ANY OF THE FORMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE EVENT YOU ARE BRINGING IT TO.
UPDATE YOUR VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Click here to update your personal information.
Disaster Relief Contacts
For general information, inquiries and questions from the public and Georgia Baptist churches, please email: DisasterResponse@gabaptist.org
Media Contact
For all media/news inquiries for interview requests, event information, official statements, disaster relief and related items, please contact:
