NOTE: The deadline to register for the October 21st disaster relief training has passed and registration is now closed. Please visit TNDisasterRelief.org to see discover other training opportunities.
Our local churches have a longstanding tradition of responding when disaster strikes and staying until things are put right. In the hardest of times, we minister with God’s grace, offering Christ’s love to those most affected. Whether it’s responding to tornadoes in our own community or traveling far to assist with hurricanes, floods, and even tsunamis, our disaster relief efforts have been a faithful and impactful ministry. When our churches cooperate, we can achieve more, provide greater help, and bear a stronger witness than any one church could accomplish alone.
Now is the time to refocus our efforts, refresh our skills, and recruit new volunteers who are willing to serve when able and pray without ceasing. In the coming months, we have two opportunities for you to either discover disaster relief or rekindle your passion for this ministry.
First, we are hosting a disaster relief training and fellowship event on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m (New start time). The event will be held at the association office, with some training sessions taking place next door at North Cleveland Baptist. This is a great opportunity to hear from local volunteers who have years of experience in disaster response. We will offer introductory courses, including “Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief” and “Chainsaw Operations & Safety.” Now, in light of the current relief efforts, we have added a “Flood Recovery” class. Credentialing will be available on-site for both new volunteers and returning veterans whose credentials may have lapsed. For those already credentialed, we will offer the “Spiritual Preparedness & Evangelism” course. Additionally, there will be a time for fellowship where you can meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers, and familiarize yourself with our disaster relief trailers and equipment.
Our second event will be held on February 7th and 8th, 2025, at Waterville Baptist, which will host the regional Disaster Relief training. This larger event will offer even more training opportunities across a wider range of areas, including hands-on chainsaw training and more.
Scripture teaches us that when man fell, all of creation came under a curse. Disaster relief allows us to combat the effects of that curse with love, and the cause of the curse by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Please prayerfully consider joining us in this mission and share this information with others who might be interested. I look forward to working alongside you!
To pre-register for this class, contact the CrossNet Baptist office at (423) 476-5493 or johnathon@crossnet.com with your names and classes desired. Please pre-register by Monday, October 21, so that we can supply you with the proper training materials and/or lunch count on Saturday.
The credentialing fee is $40. This fee will cover not only the cost of the ID, hat, background check, and membership pin, but also the cost of any of the basic training courses a volunteer wants to take over the next 3 years.