Southern Baptist Disaster Relief named top national aid

MINNEAPOLIS — Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) has been named National Member of the Year by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

“On behalf of the North American Mission Board and the SBDR network, I would like to express our gratitude to the membership of the National VOAD for this recognition of our work,” said Mickey Caison, executive director of Disaster Relief for the North American Mission Board (NAMB).

Those efforts were recognized May 20 when several disaster relief teams were acknowledged during this year’s National VOAD conference in Minneapolis.

“I am honored that the North American Mission Board allows me to serve this incredible organization,” said Caison, accepting the award. 

“It’s a privilege to bear witness to the willingness of our volunteers to provide help, healing and hope to individuals, families and communities every day as they serve as the hands and feet of Jesus,” he said. “The love and compassion expressed by our volunteers … are used by our Lord not only to assist in recovery following a disaster but also to impact eternal realtionships with Him.”

For 46 years, more than 100 organizations like NAMB and SBDR have cooperated through VOAD to serve people and communities impacted by natural disasters. Initiatives within each disaster relief organization, like the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program, have helped bring even more aid to disaster-stricken communities during the last half-century.

(BP)