By Lauren Lamb
The Baptist General Association of Virginia recently hosted a two-day disaster relief training program at Corinth Baptist Church of New Kent, Va. It was filled with essential information and practical skills to better equip us for future disaster relief efforts.
“We had the privilege of joining a dedicated team, including nine representatives from various CBF’s regions,” said Zulma Zabala-Rivera, CBF’s Global Mission Executive Assistant.
The team included Alan Williams, CBF Disaster Response Specialist, Stephen Glover, Disaster Response Coordinator in Tennessee, Lita and Rick Sample who serve as CBF field personnel in San Francisco Bay, Miguel Vazquez, Edgardo Lopez and Carlos Diaz of Puerto Rico Baptist Churches, and Laura Davis of Co Coordinator of CBF Virginia, Elizabeth Nance-Coker CBF South Carolina Coordinator and Debbie Haag Disaster Response Coordinator from CBF South Carolina.
“I had the pleasure of learning alongside several CBF Disaster Response Coordinators as we trained on how to care for communities recovering from a disaster,” Davis said. “We also had a great conversation with our partner, Impact Missions Disaster Response, about ways we can continue to work together. What a joy to be part of this good work!”
The Disaster Response training included critical areas such as Introduction to Disaster Response, Mass Feeding, Clean-Out, Chainsaw, Supply Distribution and Disaster Response Administration.
“The churches need to be prepared to serve in their community,” Alan Williams, a retired emergency management and E911 systems administrator, said. “I’ve always said that your church and neighbors can be the first responders. If the churches’ doors are open, it will be beautiful.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to enhance our knowledge and capabilities, enabling us to support those in need more effectively during times of crisis,” said Zabala-Rivera.
If you our your church is interested in learning more about Disaster Response, or would like to be a “DR Ready Church”, please let us know at DR@cbf.net