This is a callout notification for cleanup and crisis care volunteers. Virginia Baptist Disaster Response is currently responding to historic flooding that struck Eastern Kentucky and parts of Southwest Virginia. We will begin cleanup in Wise County and then transition to cleanup in Eastern Kentucky as part of a multi-state response. We are asking crisis care chaplains and all those willing to serve in cleanup to register below.

Virginia Baptist Disaster Response is currently responding in Buchanan County after flooding in the community July 12 and 13. Approximately 300 homes were affected, with displaced families housing in an emergency shelter. Cleanup operations are underway, with several groups partnering to complete cleanup. We have been asked to take the lead in the rebuild phase and anticipate rebuild beginning mid-August. We encourage teams who are able to respond during rebuild to prepare for possible deployment between mid-August and mid-September. Please pray for those involved, and give to support the response. You can register or give below.

Virginia Baptists are working through the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development and the European Baptist Fellowship to support those in Ukraine and those serving them. You can donate through BGAV and follow all updates below.

One of COVID’s strongest reminders has been that disaster response is always local. As many churches have struggled to connect to communities in isolation over the last two years, the yearning to connect has grown. As we continue to emerge from COVID isolation, God is calling many churches to renew their reach into their communities, and we are ready to help you get there. We are offering Disaster response training to local churches in person or via zoom. Spend a morning together with us to certify in Disaster Response Feeding or Cleanup and prepare your church to respond locally or across the country when disasters strike. We held our first church training at Passion Community church this Saturday and are thrilled to have several other churches scheduled for training. Cost is $20 per person, capped at $300 for a church team. Contact Kristen Curtis at kristen.curtis@bgav.org to sign your church up while dates are still available.