Disaster Relief Mission Sharing Christ In Crisis The motivation behind Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts can be summed up in one phrase: "A cup of cold water in Jesus’ name." Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is following the example Jesus established when He fed the 5,000 and the 4,000 and His teachings in the parable of the Good Samaritan and Matthew 25:31-46. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is Christian love in action. It is meeting the urgent needs of hurting humanity in crisis situations with loving care and a timely response as James 2:15-16 instructs us to do. The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief logo incorporates two types of ministry, physical and spiritual, exemplified by Christ.   General Information on South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief In the face of unprecedented disaster, SC Baptist volunteers are mobilized to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. September 9, 2005 -  In the face of unprecedented disaster, SC Baptist volunteers are mobilized to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. The multifaceted Disaster Relief ministry in South includes:  57 Disaster Relief units such as feeding, laundry, shower, child care, communication, NOVA (crisis counseling), recovery, mud out and chainsaw, among others. 2500 trained Disaster Relief volunteers – volunteers must be trained in order to participate. Two training sessions are offered each year by the South Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief is a ministry of the North American Mission Board, which acts as a sending agency for state units. Assignments for Disaster Relief units are given to the state Baptist Conventions through the North American Mission Board Feeding units cook hot meals for victims and volunteers. All food is provided by the Red Cross.

Why We Should Be Servants Christ, by His example, set the pattern for us to follow. He told us that our mission to share His love was to be accomplished through the servant role (see Mark 10:43-45). The servant role plays an important part when we respond to a disaster. It is there that we personally are able to share some of our blessings by ministering to the needs of anyone who comes our way. The servant’s heart is flexible and caring. Volunteers must be careful to guard against a "savior complex" influencing their ministry. The "savior complex" is present when an individual sees himself as the only source of help for those affected by disaster. The "savior complex" will always complicate the task, cause hurt feelings, and prevent effective ministry. This mindset promises unrealistic plans and actions from the caregiver. When we have a servant’s heart, we are living out the message of 1 John 3:17-18 (NIV): "If any one has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." When we care for others we become not just people who talk of missions, but people who put our words into deeds. Disaster relief has become one of the most exciting ministries in which state conventions, associations, churches, and volunteers can participate. However, responding in a quick, positive way requires planning, organization, and in-depth training.