Southern Baptists have a long history of demonstrating compassion to those affected by crisis and loss. In 1984, God moved the hearts of Kentucky Baptists to organize a state disaster relief ministry. From that humble beginning, God has raised up 46 mobile disaster relief units, and trained thousands of volunteers to respond.
Disasters are nothing new. Noah teaches us in Genesis 6 the importance of being prepared. We should also let this lesson remind us of the urgency to share the Good News of God’s salvation with this generation.
Today, disasters happen every day across our globe, and Kentucky is not immune. Kentucky averages a flood event every six days, and witnesses, on average, twenty-five tornado sightings per year.
I praise God for the trained volunteers who have answered the call of God to minister to the least of these, when tragedies strike. Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were there after 9-11 in New York and following Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. They have ministered to war torn refugees in Iraq and earthquake survivors in Haiti. This past year, they served flood victims in South Carolina, tornado victims in western Kentucky, and victims of famine in Lesotho.
Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief has answered the call to go wherever needed and to do whatever it takes for Christ’s sake.
One of the best ways to be used by God is to be trained, so that you can respond correctly and effectively. Here are the upcoming opportunities to get connected to the ministry of Disaster Relief:
2017 Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief Trainings:
January 14, 2017 at Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown (Central KY)
February 4, 2017 at Big Creek Baptist Church in Hazard (Eastern KY)
March 4, 2017 at Zion’s Cause Baptist Church in Benton (Western KY)
April 8, 2017 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Independence (Northern KY)
September 16, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Richmond (Central KY)
Find out more about this Kingdom ministry and register for trainings at www.kybaptist.org/dr.
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