Conference provides guidance for tornado survivor ministry

Conference provides guidance for tornado survivor ministry

What do you say to a person whose home and belongings have been destroyed by a tornado? How do you minister to people who are grieving the loss of loved ones, property and memories? How do churches support people who are going through the stress of rebuilding their lives?

Endel Lee understands the significance of these issues.

Lee, national coordinator for disaster relief chaplaincy at the North American Mission Board, recently helped Alabama Baptist pastors and other church leaders learn how to minister to those who are experiencing the lingering effects of stress and grief from the April 27 tornadoes.

“Alabama’s tornado survivors have lost their normal routines and what has been familiar to them,” he said.

Lee shared his insights at a conference, After the Storm: Ministry Support. The conference, held in seven locations in the northern half of Alabama, was sponsored by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions’ office of LeaderCare and church administration.

“Our purpose was to provide personal support to ministers and their spouses with the stress they are experiencing due to the tornado disasters and to equip them to minister to others,” explained Dale Huff, director of the office.

Among the pastors receiving practical help from the conference was Barry Holcomb, pastor of First Baptist Church, Russellville, in Franklin Baptist Association.

“The conference was helpful for pastors who are up to their necks in tornado response. I received insights into the levels of stress victims are dealing with, as well as insights into my personal stress responses,” he said.

Using a scale made up of colors, Lee showed conference participants how to evaluate how well a person is dealing with stress and grief. Green indicates the person is functioning, handling things well and emotionally fit. Yellow suggests the person is showing distress and mild anxiety. Orange exhibits more severe distress in the person’s life and the loss of hope and purpose. Red, the worst stress zone, shows the person is feeling totally drained and has stress that is not healing.

“Endel Lee did an excellent job of explaining the progression of needs that arise in disaster situations,” said Jonathan Lancaster, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Boaz, in Marshall Baptist Association.

Ministers’ wives received attention from Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union, which was represented at the conferences by Executive Director Candace McIntosh.

“We are compiling a list of the names of pastors and families personally affected by the tornadoes so ministry can be targeted to them,” she said.

Lee said the conferences ministered to those who are ministering to others.

“I think the conferences have helped pastors and other caregivers talk through their stories and have given them an outlet to express some of their feelings,” he said.