Disaster Relief - Louisiana Baptists

Impacting Thousands of Lives

The Disaster Relief Credo states:

“There seems to be no area of mission action that requires more rapid response than during the time of disaster. The disaster comes unexpectedly and with it the opportunity for immediate ministry. If we are unprepared when it strikes and delay action, the opportunity passes with the urgent need.”

We are here to serve those affected by disaster in Louisiana and beyond. Let us help you in your time of need.

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Updates

Quick Contacts

See Full Team

Stan Statham

Strategist

Kelly Tam

Ministry Assistant

318.449.4280

Get here quicker by using the address:

LouisianaBaptists.org/DR

Disaster Ready Church Ministry

The Disaster Ready Church Ministry seeks to prepare churches for natural and manmade disasters. The Louisiana Baptists Disaster Relief Ministry Leaders will meet with your church to assist in the development of a plan to be ready for disasters.

Learn More About this Ministry

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Products

In need of Disaster Relief products? Visit this site and shop their inventory of shirts, stickers, bags and more.

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Articles

Looking for some additional reading material on the subject of Disaster Relief? See what we’ve had to say.

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What is Disaster Relief?

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Training & Registration

In-Person Training

The trainings for 2024 have been completed. Please check back later this year for the 2025 training schedule.

Online Training

We are rolling out online training courses for Disaster Relief. Get started!

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Statements

Click below to view our Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and more.

Mission Statement
Vision Statement
Core Values

Core Values are the foundation for the ministry that we provide. They comprise the constant guide by which we perform the Disaster Relief ministry and interact with an affected community, our partners, other organizations, volunteers, and Louisiana Baptist constituents. Our uniform colors are gold, as a visible reminder of the worth of every person to God, and blue as a reminder that we are members of God’s family through Jesus Christ.
Christ-Centered

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief is composed of individuals who are believers in Jesus Christ. Volunteers are under the imperative to minister to people and demonstrate God’s love as they share the message of hope in Jesus Christ.

(This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? I John 3:16-17 NIV)
Partnership-Oriented

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief seeks to be a valuable partner, building strong biblical relationships that empower volunteers to serve communities affected by disaster with passion, integrity, professionalism, and credibility.

(I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6 NIV)
Fluid in Practice

Effective in Action

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief empowers leaders, volunteers and partners through training, mentoring, accountability, and structure; enabling them to use their skills, talents, abilities and resources to be effective followers of Christ ministering to others affected by disaster.

(Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV)
Local Church Focused

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief maintains a strategic and intentional partnership with local churches and associations to support, reinforce, and encourage their ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ and growing the Kingdom of God.

(Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
Motivation

We believe that we are under Scriptural and moral obligation to all mankind to provide a positive witness of the love of Jesus Christ.

Christ calls for all Christians to demonstrate his love in the relief of victims of disasters through the effective and immediate use of the resources, time, and talents entrusted to us by our Lord.

Disasters affect many people. Christians naturally respond to the hurts of those around them and feel an obligation to minister in the name of Jesus Christ. Christians working together can accomplish much for the glory of God (Ephesians 3:20).

Individual efforts may be helpful but are often not as productive as a cooperative, coordinated team response. An individual may have an understanding of his or her objectives but lack an overall ministry picture for the benefit of all. A coordinated, cooperative team effort can harness the desires and energies of individuals into a productive, effective force for Christ.

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief can provide direction for the potential energy of individuals and churches desiring to be of service in times of disaster. Through planning, training, and practicing, disaster response teams can be positioned to provide leadership and expertise required in times of disaster.
Disaster Relief is Mission Action

Mission action is the organized effort of a church to minister and witness to people of distinctive needs or circumstances who are not part of the congregation or any of its organizations.

Mission action is taking Christian love into all situations and places of need.

Mission action is the work of dedicated Christians who expand their circle of concern becoming involved in meeting the crucial needs of people in the name of Christ.

Mission action is utilizing natural talents, knowledge, and acquired skills to proclaim the Kingdom of God, share the life of God’s Son, and bear witness through God’s Spirit.

Mission action is commitment to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and a dedication to the needs of others.

Mission action is love in action. Christ, by his example, set the pattern for us to follow. He told us that our mission to share his love was to be done through direct servant roles (Mark 10:42-45; Phil. 2:5-8).

Mission action is allowing people to see we have experienced in our own lives the Christ we now proclaim to them.
Servant Role

The servant role takes an important place in disaster relief ministry. In response, we personally become involved in meeting the needs of hurting people and sharing the truth of God’s love. In disaster relief, we share some of our blessings and our experience with the truth of God by ministering to the needs of whoever comes our way. We are living out the message of 1 John 3:17-19. We become a people who not only talk of being on-mission, but put our words into deeds. We become a people who serve Christ in the crisis.
Credo