When tornadoes devastated Alabama in 2011, North Jefferson Baptist Association was “woefully unprepared,” Steve Loggins said.
“We began way back then to assemble equipment and train people for the next event, but we remained mostly unorganized as far as a team response,” said Loggins, associational missionary for North Jefferson Association.
People stepped up to lead but either moved away or got sidelined by health issues before they were really able to get the disaster relief team going, he said.
But then Steve Knox got wind of it — and became burdened to see that change.
“I found out the statistics of how much we had been able to do when the tornados came through and that broke my heart,” Knox said. “We’ve got some decent-size churches, but we were one of the least-contributing associations to disaster relief efforts.”
So now with Knox serving as associational disaster relief coordinator, North Jefferson Baptists are rallying to prepare for the next time there’s a need for chainsaw teams, cleanup crews and other kinds of crisis volunteers. More than 100 volunteers are signed up to participate in a Jan. 19 basic training course to be held at Gardendale First Baptist Church.
“If we can change someone’s life through disaster relief efforts then it’s all worth it,” Knox said.
Knox also holds the title of “serve-out pastor” at Enon Baptist Church, Morris — a position that includes his work with associational disaster relief. He says it’s been a unique opportunity, one he’s grateful for.
“It’s not just about one church — one church can’t do it alone,” he said. “We need each and every church that’s associated with the association.”
‘Necessary ministry’
Loggins said it’s a “necessary ministry, a ministry of opportunity” that can bring the gospel to people when their hearts are open in time of crisis.
“We show them the love of Christ and tell them about the love of Christ,” he said.
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