Upcoming Training Opportunities
Extensive Chaplaincy Training
(October 3 & 4, 9:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.)
Being a volunteer chaplain to those who have experienced loss and pain is a rewarding ministry, but it can be very challenging because of the emotional and spiritual demands involved.
This extensive "Spiritual Care" Training combines the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplaincy and Operational Stress First Aid training and is designed for our pastors and for all faithful believers alike. In this faith-based crisis response training, attendees will learn how to provide spiritual and emotional care and support to those affected by all types of trauma and disasters.
Extensive Chaplaincy Training is crucial in maintaining a high standard of excellence in our disaster relief efforts and is required to deploy from Alaska out-of-state. It equips pastors and volunteers with the necessary skills to provide emotional and spiritual care and operate according to the disaster community's expected standards.
Training Cost: $200
Sign up for "Extensive Chaplaincy Training" today by filling out the registration form below...
Incident Management Overview Training
(October 5, 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.)
When disaster strikes, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief brings Help, Hope, and Healing. There is always a lot of behind-the-scenes work that enables volunteers to serve the hurting community. Housing and feeding those who volunteer to minister in a community they are not familiar with, within a church or community center not accustomed to coordination during crisis, requires lots of decision making, sometimes without much warning. This planning, operational, and logistical work occurs in the Incident Command (IC) arena.
This training offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. It will provide an overview of the management, and ministry coordination, in an incident command during a large-scale disaster, an understanding of the required roles, and a familiarity with the FEMA and "Community Emergency Response" language. This is an excellent opportunity for those with administrative/computer skills and experience who want to learn if IC work is for them.
Training Cost: $100
Sign up for "Incident Management Overview Training" today by filling out the registration form below...
Scholarship Information
Scholarships are available for both the Extensive Chaplaincy Training ($200) and Incident Management Overview Training ($100). To qualify for an ABDR scholarship you must be a member of an ABRN (Alaska Baptist Resource Network) church and be willing to volunteer for a disaster call out within the state.
To apply for either (or both) scholarship(s), please fill out the registration form below and check the boxes for requesting a scholarship.
Deadline for scholarships: October 1
Housing & Meals
Cabin bunks (disaster response style housing) are available at LaVerne Griffin Camp for free with advanced registration. Housing is available Wednesday night (for those traveling a long distance on Wednesday), Thursday night, and Friday night (October 2-4).
Meals are also provided at no additional cost by LaVerne Griffin Camp with registration in advance. We are offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday, October 3 and Friday October 4. Breakfast and lunch are being offered on Saturday, October 5.
To reserve your housing and meals, please fill out the registration form below and make sure to check the boxes requesting housing and meals.
Deadline for housing and meal registration: October 1
About the Instructors
John & Gay Williams
In February 2021 John and Gay Williams began serving as the Directors of Hawaii Baptist Disaster Relief. Their experience includes leading a four-month long recovery effort following the 2023 Lahaina fire on the island of Maui.
They came to Hawaii in 2019 from Colorado where they were both involved in their state's Disaster Relief for over ten years. John served as the assistant director of Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief. Gay served as a chaplain with the Colorado Springs Fire Department for 12 years. She is an endorsed Southern Baptist chaplain and a licensed professional counselor. Gay is currently a doctoral candidate at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.