The Ogeechee River Baptist Association's Jeff Parmer welcomed Dwain Carter, Georgia Baptist Mission Board Disaster Relief Director, on Tuesday evening February 27, 2025, at Southbridge Church to discuss the vital work of the Disaster Relief ministry and encourage local participation. Carter's presentation highlighted the organization's commitment to responding to crises "anyhow, anywhere, anyway," and emphasized the importance of volunteers in bringing help, hope, and healing to affected communities.
Carter shared compelling statistics, revealing that the average age of Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers is 68. He attributed this to the fact that many younger individuals are still in the workforce, emphasizing the valuable contributions of retired individuals. "They all gotta work," Carter explained, "So that's why we look for, you know, I could say older people now retired people because I'm older."
The presentation detailed the diverse range of services offered by Disaster Relief, including feeding, recovery work (such as chainsaw work, flood recovery, and tarping), instant management, chaplaincy, assessments, shower and laundry services, family care, heavy equipment operations, rebuilding, and logistics. Carter stressed the importance of background checks and credentialing, ensuring that volunteers are trusted and recognized by local authorities.
"It makes a difference," Carter stated, recounting an instance where his description of the organization's training and background checks led a mayor to authorize their entry into affected neighborhoods. He highlighted the extensive feeding operations, noting that over 400,000 meals were served in Georgia last year, often in partnership with organizations like the Salvation Army.
Carter also shared powerful stories of gospel outreach, emphasizing that Disaster Relief is primarily a ministry focused on advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He recounted instances of volunteers witnessing to individuals while providing laundry services or assisting with recovery efforts. "Everything we do, we do to be able to present the gospel," he said. "126 people got saved during Hurricane Idalia through the disaster relief efforts here in Georgia. That is amazing."
The meeting also addressed the logistics of volunteering, including training requirements and deployment procedures. Carter encouraged attendees to participate in upcoming training sessions, such as an upcoming training in Savannah, emphasizing that the trainings are designed to equip volunteers for effective service. He stressed that while the training is essential, the heart of the ministry is serving others.
"We have to love the ministry more than we hate the rules," Carter said, explaining the need for standardized procedures and safety protocols.
Carter also emphasized the organization's global reach, sharing stories of volunteers serving in places like Poland and the Philippines. He assured attendees that volunteers would always be provided with food, shelter, and showers during deployments.
Local emergency management officials, including representatives from the Bulloch County VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), spoke highly of the Disaster Relief team's reliability and effectiveness. DeWayne Grice, chair of the Bulloch County VOAD, thanked Carter and the volunteers for their consistent support during local crises.
The meeting concluded with a call for more volunteers, particularly for local units. Carter and local organizers encouraged attendees to sign up for training and to consider forming a local Disaster Relief unit in the Bulloch County area, with a particular focus on tarping and recovery efforts.
"We're trying to beat that curve," Carter said, addressing the need for more volunteers. "We're trying to get more people involved."
The next training will be held on March 21-22, 2025 at Southside Baptist Church, 5502 Skidaway Road in Savannah. Pre-registration is required.
Those interested in learning more about the March training in Savannah, volunteering or learning more about Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief can visit the organization's website or contact Dwain Carter directly at [email protected].
