ANTIOCH, TN No one could have anticipated the magnitude of destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Free Will Baptists responded by giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to those devastated by the storm. They produced an army of volunteers to repair, rebuild, and relieve those in need along the Gulf Coast.
Although the response was great, Katrina made it clear that Free Will Baptists need an organized plan to channel relief efforts and supplies to those who need them. Free Will Baptists are compassionate and ready to help. They simply need to know how.

Unwilling to let another hurricane season begin without a plan for relief, Keith Burden, executive secretary of the National Association, Roy Harris, executive administrator, and Ken Akers, director of Master’s Men, met on March 16, and selected a National Disaster Relief Task Force to develop a plan ready for approval at the National Convention in Birmingham. From seven different states, the men have a wide variety of experience in disaster relief and response. The Task Force was asked to serve until a national Disaster Relief Plan could be approved at the convention in Birmingham.

The Task Force met May 8–9, 2006, in Nashville, TN. A plan was developed and recommended unanimously to the National Association. Special thanks to the members of the Task Force: Randy Bryant (FL), Danny Conn (FL), James Cox (WV), J.L. Gore (MS), Benny Hartley (NC), John Hewett (OK), Ernie Taylor (IL), Ken Akers, Keith Burden, and Roy Harris.

Delegates to the 2006 National Convention adopted the proposed disaster relief plan during the annual meeting in Birmingham. The plan requests that each state appoint a representative to communicate disaster-related information in the event of an emergency. The Executive Office will act as a channel for collecting and distributing donations to affected areas with the help of the contact person in each state. The move will extend the ability of the National Association to provide effective relief on a much larger scale.

If you are interested in being part of Free Will Baptist Disaster Relief, take just a moment to complete the ONLINE VOLUNTEER SURVEY.