The Alabama Baptist Online

Vital disaster relief resource goes livecomment (0)

June 2, 2011

Ernie Carroll, director of missions for Friendship Baptist Association, has volunteers ready to help. He just needs to know how to connect them to the right need.

Doug Reeves, pastor of East McFarland Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, has been running a massive volunteer effort out of his church since April 27 (see story, page 9). But it’s time for him to turn the effort over to Tuscaloosa Baptist Association because “this is larger than our church,” he said, describing the degree of work still to be done. There are still a lot of unmet needs, he said, but he’s not sure how to let others know about them.

Carroll and Reeves are not alone, but the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) and Alabama Baptist disaster relief have found a way to remedy the disaster relief disconnect — a new online resource at www.sbdr.org.

“The goal of SBDR.org is to be a functional site helping those interested in disaster relief ministry find their place of service,” said SBOM web strategist Chris Mills. “The site provides descriptions of ministry opportunities, training opportunities and connecting points with those on the front lines of disaster areas. The site will provide a link to each association with needs listed in the areas affected by the April 27 storms.

“This site will always be a work in progress,” he said. “It is my hope that this be a great resource for Alabama Baptists seeking to find ways to get plugged into disaster relief ministry.”

Reggie Quimby, director of the office of global missions (which oversees disaster relief), agreed.

“The main purpose for creating a website for the Alabama Baptist disaster relief ministry is to better tell the story of this growing ministry,” he added.

Rick Lance, SBOM executive director, said, “Disaster relief ministry is vital, especially in the wake of the April 27 tornadoes. SBDR.org is a tool to assist in training, disaster preparedness resources and connecting volunteers with disaster relief tools.

“One of the key components of this new site will be connecting volunteers with volunteer coordinators and jobs in the disaster areas of across the state,” he said. “This will assist us in the rebuild effort.”

Along with the online resource at www.sbdr.org, disaster relief-related e-mails may be sent to aldisasterresponse@gmail.com. (TAB)