A Ministry of Serving

Last Sunday, June 4, was the Southern Baptist annual Disaster Relief Sunday. This is a day set aside to recognize and thank the thousands of Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers who serve faithfully, selflessly, and with a heart for the Gospel.

Kentucky Baptists alone has over 2300 trained volunteers and counting. Many churches across our convention recognized volunteers in various ways last Sunday. They are an incredibly special group of people who simply love the Lord and love the people they serve.

These KYDR volunteers are not part of an organization, but rather a very special family. They take care of each other, watch out for each other, and look forward to serving with each other. And the wonderful part of this family, there is always room for more.

However, these volunteers do not serve because they desire to be recognized or looking for a pat on the back. They serve for several reasons, most of which the world does not understand.

They serve because they are CALLED.
God has placed a call on their life to serve through this awesome ministry. Disaster relief gets people out of the pew and into the field to meet people where they are bringing help, hope and healing to those who are hurting. God gives that passion deep within their hearts, calling them to serve. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

They serve because they are COMPASSIONATE.
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, we find many times in the scripture when Jesus was moved with compassion to help someone who was hurting. He would meet their physical need which would open the door for their spiritual need. We see the disaster relief ministry do the same. Volunteers are moved with compassion to help those who are hurting and suffering. We reach out to meet their physical need and the door is opened to share the love of Jesus.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:10.

They serve because they are CHARITABLE.
Disaster relief volunteers are very generous and giving by nature. They desire to bless others as God has blessed them. They give of their time, their energy, their resources, and even financially. They have experienced God’s blessing and generously serve others.

“The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

They serve because they are COOPERATIVE.
This ministry is the Cooperative Program in action. They work with their friends. They work with those they have never met. They work with those across the state or even across the country. They cooperate with other state conventions and ministries. And through those working relationships and opportunities, they will make lifelong friendships.

You can learn more about the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention by visiting www.kybaptist.org/about-CP.

Learn more about how you can become a trained disaster relief volunteer and our upcoming trainings at www.kybaptist.org/dr. Also, support those KYDR volunteers who are in your church with prayer support, resources, and financially. Your support in assisting with fuel, meals, equipment and more is very much needed. And finally, let them know how much you appreciate them.

It is a ministry of serving.