In the face of unprecedented disaster, South Carolina Baptist volunteers are mobilized to assist victims of natural and man-made disasters.
In the face of unprecedented disaster, South Carolina Baptist volunteers are mobilized to assist victims of natural and man-made disasters. The multifaceted Disaster Relief ministry in South Carolina includes:
- 110 Disaster Relief units such as feeding, laundry, shower, child care, communication, NOVA (crisis counseling), recovery, mud out and chainsaw, among others.
- 5,600 trained Disaster Relief volunteers – volunteers must be trained in order to participate. Two training sessions are offered each year by the South Carolina Baptist Convention
- Disaster Relief is a ministry of the North American Mission Board, which acts as a sending agency for state units. Assignments for Disaster Relief units are given to the state Baptist Conventions through the North American Mission Board
- Feeding units cook hot meals for victims and volunteers. All food is provided by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
History of Disaster Relief*
When Hurricane Beulah ravaged the Rio Grande Valley in 1967, Baptist Relief efforts were sporadic and unorganized. Some Texas Baptist Men volunteered to help the storm victims who had experienced the confusion and disorganization of Beulah’s wake. They decided Baptists needed organization and cooperation better to minister in the face of disasters. From that beginning, cooperation among Baptist in times of disaster has blossomed into a well organized, highly cooperative effort. The North American Mission Board, along with state Baptist convention leaders, has taken the lead in organizing financial help during floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes and urban disasters. Southern Baptists have built 335 mobile mass feeding, recovery, child care, command and other units to date.
Disaster relief teams have responded to many natural disasters in their states. They cooperate and respond cooperatively to calls from other states. Teams also are available for help overseas when the International Mission Board requests assistance. Southern Baptist efforts are correlated primarily with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and with other private agencies through NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).
This interest in helping people in times of sorrow involves more than mobile units. State conventions have volunteers ready to assist in any part of the world as requested.
*Information provided by North American Mission Board
