Judson Baptist Assoc. Disaster Relief Ministry

1. Judson Baptist Assoc.Disaster Relief Ministry

2. Beginnings….A Time For Cooperation • 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 storms victims who had experienced the confusion and disorganization of Beulahs wake. They decided Baptists needed organization and cooperation better to minister in the face of disasters. From that beginning, cooperation among Baptists 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 Southern Baptists to respond to disasters. They contribute manpower, ministry, and financial help during floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, and urban disasters.

3. Beginnings….A time for cooperation • Southern Baptists have built 335 mobile mass feeding, recovery, child care, command, and other units to date. • 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.

4. Philosophy • The philosophy behind Southern Baptist disaster relief efforts has been summed up in the phrase, "A cup of cold water in Jesus name." We are following the example of Jesus of Nazareth when He fed the 5,000 and the 4,000, and His teachings in the parable of the Good Samaritan and Matthew 25:32-46.Southern Baptist disaster relief is Christian love in action.

5. ’04 Report of SBC DR Activity • Southern Baptist Disaster Relief responses in 2004 reached an all-time high, including record numbers for meals prepared, buildings repaired and cleanup and recovery projects. • More than 15,000 trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers gave their time, talents and energies in response to 193 natural disasters which included hurricanes, an earthquake, floods, tornadoes and ice storms. • Southern Baptists prepared more than 3.5 million meals, repaired more than 2,600 buildings and completed nearly 11,000 cleanup and recovery projects -– all record responses. • “The service accomplishments of 2004 are a shining example of how God allows us to be part of His great work when Christians come together to work in cooperation with each other,” said Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board. “I’m especially grateful to our state convention partners who put so much into disaster relief training and equipment and getting the people on site. I know of no better way Southern Baptists can build bridges to the world than to be there with desperately needed help during the darkest hours of disaster and I’m grateful to Southern Baptists for making it possible.”

6. ’04 Report of SBC DR Activity, cont’d “What has become increasingly clear through the years is that God is allowing Southern Baptists to grow their presence during disasters, particularly in leadership relationships with the American Red Cross,” said Jim Burton, director of NAMB’s volunteer mobilization team. “More and more, we see partners like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army turning to Southern Baptists for assistance,” Burton continued. “For example, during the recent hurricane season in the Southeast, our volunteers drove American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles and operated mobile kitchens for both the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The lesson from the hurricanes was a reminder that our greatest asset is our people.”

7. What’s Next???? Planning and Training Short Term • Establish Committee comprised of Key Leadership Personnel • Sign up for Recovery Training (chainsaw/mud-out) Long Term • Launch massive promotional effort to every church in association • Work closely with LBC (Loy Seal) to determine next team to launch. • Start new teams as core group of volunteers increase.

8. Judson Baptist Assoc.Disaster Relief Ministry INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PART OF THIS TEAM? Contact us at Judson Baptist Association 10827 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70815 OR (225) 274-8600 judson@judsonassoc.org