Missions: 10 Weeks

Week 9 w/answersSouthern Baptist Disaster Relief

Welcome to our ninth week of studying about missions and focusing on the mission–related work currently on–going in our neighborhood and around the world. This week we’ll look at the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization.

Missions

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) is a cooperative effort between prepared and highly motivated church members from 42 State Conventions, the Canadian Baptist Convention, and Send Relief, Inc. to deliver the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through the ministry of disaster relief.

Information regarding SBDR disaster relief efforts can be found HERE and HERE.

Based on your findings at the Disaster Recovery web sites above, answer the following:

  1. What are the four phases of disaster response ("The Four R's")?
    1. ANSWER 1: Readiness
    2. ANSWER 2: Response
    3. ANSWER 3: Recovery
    4. ANSWER 4: Rebuild
  2. Who administers Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
    1. at the national and international level?
      1. ANSWER: The North American Mission Board (NAMB) and International Mission Board (IMB).
    2. at the state level?
      1. ANSWER: State conventions develop their disaster relief response plan and training.
  3. What are some ways Southern Baptist volunteers minister to those suffering from disasters?
    1. ANSWER 1: Be present (reflect Christ).
    2. ANSWER 2: Listen (let people unburden themselves to you; acknowledge their suffering).
    3. ANSWER 3: Speak with sensitivity (be an agent of hope).
    4. ANSWER 4: Pray (ask permission, then voice your simple prayer).
    5. ANSWER 5: Refer (refer them to appropriate resources to further meet their needs).
  4. What are some of the services that Southern Baptist Disaster Relief provides?
    1. ANSWER 1: Chainsaw clearing of trees and other major obstructions following wind and flood events.
    2. ANSWER 2: Childcare that provides temporary childcare through a mobile unit or at a fixed location such as a church or school.
    3. ANSWER 3: Feeding via food preparation and distribution from a mobile unit or a fixed location such as a church or school.
    4. ANSWER 4: Fire recovery provided by sifting and/or removing ash and debris with proper disposal and recovering personal property.
    5. ANSWER 5: Flood recovery involving removal of contaminated belongings and dwelling components; includes washing and sanitizing affected areas.
    6. ANSWER 6: Interpretors to translate or interpret regarding disaster assistance.
    7. ANSWER 7: Rebuild and repair homes and churches.
    8. ANSWER 8: Provide asset and volunteer transportation.
    9. ANSWER 9: Water purification, providing filtered potable water in bulk. .
  5. What organizations do Southern Baptists partner with in disaster relief?
    1. ANSWER: SBDR cooperates with many voluntary organizations, state and local government, emergency management officials, and the Department of Homeland Security.
  6. What are some occasions when Virginia Baptists have responded?
    1. ANSWER 1: Relief for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene victims in 2024.
    2. ANSWER 2: Relief and hope to Lahaina, HI following intense wildfires in 2023.
    3. ANSWER 3: Hurricane Ian disaster relief in 2022
    4. ANSWER 4: Historic flooding in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky in 2022.
    5. ANSWER 5: Hurricane Fiona relief in Puerto Rico in 2022.
  7. What are some ways that people can participate in Virginia Baptist disaster relief efforts?
    1. ANSWER 1: Get trained as a Disaster Relief volunteer.
    2. ANSWER 2: Volunteer for a Disaster Relief team bringing services and resources to people in need.
    3. ANSWER 3: Donate to Disaster Relief to reach those in crisis.
  8. Additional resources related to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief:
    1. Training
    2. Deploying
    3. Donating
    4. Shawn Ames, Relief Ministries Coordinator
      1. 434-444-4534
      2. sames@sbcv.org

In my home church, Southview, we were fortunate to have Dave Tolliver as the local coordinator for VA Baptist Disaster Relief.

It is encouraging to be associated with an organization that ministers to people at their basic needs level and demonstrates the love of Christ to them in a very tangible way.

In Christ,

Wes

[2024]