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Webb Scheduled to Leave for Haiti January 18
01/15/2010
Coy Webb, KBC disaster relief associate Click here to download this photo.
According to Webb, the team is planning to stay four to six days. Their primary goal will be to “determine when Southern Baptist teams can arrive and what they can do to help once they are there,” he said.
Webb will joined by four other representatives from a variety of Southern Baptist organizations, including: Jim Brown, U.S. office director for Baptist Global Response; Don Gann, disaster relief coordinator for the Mississippi Baptist Convention; Bruce Poss of the North American Mission Board; and Ralph Shealy, medical consultant for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
Two additional representatives from the Florida Baptist Convention are scheduled to travel separately and coordinate with the team’s efforts upon arrival in Haiti.
According to Webb, the entire effort is being led by the Florida Baptist Convention, which has had ministry relationships for more than 20 years and has staff members stationed in the country.
After the assessment takes place and a more detailed plan is in place, Webb said Kentucky Baptist disaster relief volunteers will be needed to help with the disaster recovery. Teams could potentially be needed within a few weeks, but there is no way to know for certain at this point, he said.
Kentucky Baptists desiring to help are encouraged to give monetary donations through the KBC’s fund designated for the Haiti relief effort. While many have already offered to donate supplies and goods, Webb said “there is no good way to get those items into Haiti right now, so monetary donations really are the best way to help immediately.”
Contributions may be sent to the KBC, P.O. Box 856300, Dept. 124, Louisville, KY 40285-9900. Please note “Haiti Earthquake” in the check memo. Online donations are also being accepted at www.kybaptist.org/dr.
Trained Kentucky Baptist disaster relief volunteers interested in serving on a team once opportunities become available are being asked to express their interest by emailing baptistmen@kybaptist.org. Volunteers should indicate their availability, contact information and what type of volunteer work they are able to do.
Kentucky Baptists are part of a larger network of Southern Baptist volunteers trained to respond to disasters by manning mass feeding operations, using chainsaws to clear downed trees and limbs, clear mud out of flooded homes and more. Together, Southern Baptists comprise the third largest relief organization in the United States.
To learn more about Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, go to www.kybaptist.org/dr.
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2.400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more. For more, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Release prepared by Kristie Randolph, KBC Communications
