major Progress in Iowa Disaster Relief
Pastor Gared Shaffer from Solid Rock Baptist Church in Wapello has recently joined forces with the Baptist Convention of Iowa (BCI) as our Iowa Disaster Relief Director, infusing new energy into the ministry. We’re gearing up for future relief efforts statewide but we need your participation.
In just one month, Iowa Disaster Relief (IowaDR) has responded to three separate calls for assistance. The first “call out” was to Minden, Iowa, followed by participation in a relief effort in Joplin, Missouri. Most recently, Iowa DR was activated in Greenfield, Iowa, to provide much-needed relief after the deadly tornado storms.
Bringing Relief to Greenfield
Immediately after the storm hit Greenfield on Tuesday afternoon, the IowaDR team sprang into action. With support provided by nearby BCI church Crest Baptist Church in Creston, they connected with local volunteers who used the church building as a base for operations. The team worked diligently, using tarps to protect damaged homes and providing storage tubs and boxes to help residents salvage their belongings.
The ministry also facilitated numerous gospel engagements through their chaplains, offering prayer and support to the community. Although there are no Baptist churches in Greenfield, the presence of the mobile kitchen from Missouri and the subsequent arrival of chainsaw teams to clear obstructed areas demonstrated the collective effort to bring relief and hope to the town.
Wanted: Volunteers Trained and Ready to Go!
The recent call outs have highlighted a pressing need for more trained IowaDR volunteers. Disaster relief efforts cannot be planned in advance, so it is crucial to have a dedicated group ready to respond at a moment’s notice. The ministry is calling for more participants to complete training, so they’ll be fully prepared to step in when disaster strikes.
Opportunities for Gospel Presence
Volunteers in disaster relief have unique opportunities to make a significant impact, not only through physical labor but also through spiritual support and sharing the gospel. Handing out supplies, operating kitchens, removing downed trees, and providing flood recovery assistance are all critical roles. Additionally, trained chaplains are essential, requiring 14 hours of training to effectively engage in gospel conversations and provide comfort to those affected by disasters.
Now is the time to get involved. IowaDR invites anyone interested to participate in one of our upcoming trainings, so you can be ready to offer both practical help and spiritual support in future disaster relief efforts.
