Increased interest in MBC disaster relief expected
Training event Oct. 7-8
By Staff
September 20, 2005
BRAGGADOCIO – The devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent disaster relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi has caused increased interest in Missouri Baptist disaster relief annual training, according to the coordinator for the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) southeast region.
John Rhodes said he was expecting 50 for the Oct. 7-8 training workshop here, but with Southern Baptists across the state looking for a way to help alleviate the pain of Hurricane Katrina’s victims, that number is sure to rise.
“I had one church call and say they were bringing 27 people,” he said. “There has definitely been an increase in interest.”
Three courses of training will be offered: chainsaw, chaplaincy and feeding. There are no special requirements for any of them. For example, to be a chaplain, one need not be an ordained minister.
“People can go to the area of their interest,” Rhodes said. “We have some women who have taken the chaplaincy class because women need ministering too.”
The feeding crews will learn to operate within the strict guidelines of a Mass Care Kitchen. Chainsaw teams, which help remove debris after a disaster, will focus on safety with their donated saws, while chaplain training will focus on learning to listen, and to help people vent their feelings in a healthy manner, while sharing with them the love of Jesus.
Rhodes said that while trainees must be at least 18 years old, the typical volunteer is the retiree.
Just because a volunteer goes through the training, does not mean one is committed to deploy at a moment’s notice.
“We don’t use the draft; remember, you’re a volunteer” Rhodes said. “The best thing for a person to do is when a disaster happens, contact us and let us know you are available. No one can be available for every disaster. We do go through our list, but when someone calls and says I am ready, they will probably get to go.”
For more information, call Rhodes at (573) 833-6894.