Disaster Relief Chaplaincy  

Disaster Relief chaplains are members of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams. Disaster Relief chaplains are mobilized with their state Disaster Relief team by the state Disaster Relief coordinator. 

As persons called by God, Disaster Relief chaplains are trained to serve in an environment of disaster relief service and response. There are not many areas of mission service that require greater spiritual sensitivity and more rapid response to human need than a disaster. Jesus himself told us that natural and man-made disasters will happen until He comes again. Therefore, we must be ready to be the "Lord's hand and feet" to hurting humanity, bringing gospel hope to them during crisis. 

Disaster Relief chaplains extend the witness and care of the church into a very specialized time of ministry in the lives of people disrupted unexpectedly by a disaster. For this reason, the training requirements for endorsement as a Disaster Relief chaplain are set high. 

The Disaster Relief chaplain is a volunteer and must meet these requirements:

• Complete the training "Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief" (about 12 hours).
• Complete the training "Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplains Manual" (about 9 hours).
• Complete one unit of training in either Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) (about 16 hours) or National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) (about 40 hours).
  

The training is coordinated and scheduled by the Southern Baptist state convention of each state through the office of the Disaster Relief coordinator or state chaplaincy representative. 

Endorsement as a Southern Baptist Volunteer Relief Chaplain

On May 4, 2004, the Chaplains Commission, SBC, approved the endorsing of Disaster Relief chaplains to their state conventions. Once a person has completed the above requirements, they should contact the NAMB Chaplaincy Evangelism Team.

For specific application of qualifications to your situation contact the Volunteer Chaplaincy Associate. Contact (770) 410-6361. 

Links for DR Chaplain

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Teams

"Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief"

"Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplain Manual"

Critical Incident Stress Management 

National Organization for Victim Assistance