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SERVING CHRIST IN CRISIS (March 17, 2010)

Virgil Oldham, Missions Coordination

I recently asked Randall Youmans how many of our members have received Disaster Relief Volunteer Credentials?  He named several, along with Ken Richmond, Don Young, Brooks Hayes,  and of course Andy Richmond, through whom our Myrtle Grove Disaster Relief Training started after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

There was a little time remaining before the Sunday morning service started, so when he looked out across the auditorium at members who were already seated, he asked, “do you know the Chaplain?”  I realized soon afterward that we had met, but I knew him as a talented Sunday School Teacher. 

I did not know him as a Chaplain, but I picked up on the title to ask,

 “Chaplain McCann, are you acquainted with the Florida Baptist Disaster Relief and Recovery Training Program? “

“The reason for my question is that I have read that in order to assist during disaster relief events, one  must  take the one-day training course that provides the credentials needed to volunteer.  I have learned that  the next course that will b conducted locally, (here in Florida Region 1), will be  at CINCO Baptist Church, Ft. Walton Beach, Saturday June 5^th , so I would like to know what to expect, and how to start preparing for that day”.

Chaplain Pat, as he is called.  responded to the inquiry, both then and later in an e-mail message.

“The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief & Recovery Ministry has been a Godsend’ for me! I first heard of the teams when I was on the receiving end of their help. My wife Maurleen and I went though several intense hurricanes while living in Kissimme.

Believe me, it  was a great sight to see the folks in YELLOW SHIRTS!

Also, When I was the director of music for Neptune Road Baptist,  we helped to house a team from Arkansas. What they did was remarkable! We were  able to see the difference that a helping hand from the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief & Recovery Volunteers can do to assist  a community in  Crisis.

Later, when I moved to Pensacola and started the chaplains corps at the Sheriff's Office I was contacted by the Florida State Disaster Office and they basically asked me if I would be interested in becoming a part of the team here in Florida. I eagerly said yes.  I went through the training program that you are considering, and received a great deal of information and then went through the chaplains program. It has so many things that people can be a part of and the best part of it is, you really don't have to have any experience.  They will get you involved somewhere. It just gives me a blessing just to be a part of the Team, and to give back to people through this mission of love.

We really need to have a team from Myrtle Grove ready to respond. They were here for us during Ivan, we need to be there when others need help.

In Christ,

Patrick McCann, Sr.

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