Nevada Baptist Convention

Where there is a disaster...
there are "yellow shirts."

Southern Baptists are known for being the "first responders" in many disaster situations.

Donations to this fund are used exclusively to support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts.

The North American Mission Board, along with state Baptist convention leaders, has taken the lead in organizing Southern Baptists to respond to disasters. They contribute manpower, ministry, and financial help during floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, and urban disasters.

Nevada Southern Baptists have worked in many of these disasters. We had people in NY for 9/11, Katrina, San Diego fires, Fernley flood and more. Training is done when needed. If anyone is interested in being trained, please contact Cindy Hedrick or if their current D/R certification has expired, please fill out this form.

Currently we have 2 feeding units--one in Lahontan Baptist Association and the other in Sierra Baptist Association. We have around 200 trained volunteers throughout the state.

Washoe Drive Fire - Disaster Relief Efforts (Part 1)

On January 19th, the second of two winter wildfires threatened Reno. The Washoe Drive Fire burned through the top of Washoe Valley and into Pleasant Valley. Eddie Miller, Sierra Baptist Association's Director of Missions, connected with California Disaster Relief during the first fire. Although Disaster Relief was not called out then, the Washoe Drive fire provided a new opportunity. Through connections in the community, flyers were distributed to homeowners explaining that Disaster Relief would provide free fire debris removal.

The week of February 20th, a California Disaster Relief Assessment Team came to Reno. Chuck Clayton, lead clean-up specialist for California Disaster Relief, led the team, which also consisted of an assistant and a chaplain trained to work in disaster settings. Of the twenty six homes destroyed, seven homeowners asked for help. The team met with each homeowner and explained how Disaster Relief will clear away the debris left from the fire, sift through ashes for valuables, and separate the debris leaving the homeowner with a lot on which they can begin to rebuild.

Please pray for this Disaster Relief response. Disaster Relief clean up teams will be cleaning up these home sites on March 5-16.
Melanie Lawler
Ministry Evangelism Specialist
Sierra Baptist Association

Washoe Drive Fire Disaster Relief Response (Part 2)

From March 5-16, thirty-nine volunteers from California Disaster Relief and Sierra Baptist Association churches cleaned up home sites of those affected by the Washoe Drive Fire.

As happens in most Disaster Relief responses, several amazing God stories occurred. One family was so surprised Christians would clean up their home site for free that they brought coffee to the team each morning. Everyday new conversations about God occurred. Another homeowner shared how his wife’s original wedding ring had gone missing several months prior to the fire. They knew the ring was somewhere in the home but could not find it. When the fire occurred, all hope was lost for finding the precious piece of jewelry. The team prayed with the homeowner and began debris removal. About thirty minutes later, the ring appeared in a pile of debris a volunteer sifted through.

Chuck Clayton, California Disaster Relief volunteer and White Hat for the first week of the response, said, “I sincerely believe that many in the Reno area have a new prospective of Southern Baptists because of …[this response]. It is my sincere hope that God will open the doors for follow up that will result in further fruit for the Kingdom. ”Because of the doors opened, one of the SBA churches continues to follow up with relationships begun by the Disaster Relief volunteers.

Melanie Lawler
Ministry Evangelism Specialist
Sierra Baptist Association

Slide Show

If you are interested in becoming a Disaster Relief volunteer, or just interested in what the "yellow shirts" do, please watch this slide show. Nevada volunteers have responded to 9/11, Katrina, San Diego fires, Fernley flood and more. Training events are provided when needed.

Keep updated on current disasters and the relief efforts that Southern Baptist are responding to. Go to the official North American Mission Baord
Disaster Relief website .