Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu
SBU students sign up for disaster relief training Feb. 22-23
BOLIVAR, Mo. — Students at Southwest Baptist University are signing up to be trained as “yellow hat” volunteer disaster relief responders through Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief Training after they were presented with information about the opportunity during the Wednesday,Feb. 6, chapel service.
“I am asking you to get out of your comfort zone, put your ‘yes’ on the table and get trained,” Dwain Carter, Disaster Relief Strategist with the Missouri Baptist Convention, told students. “We can train you in many different areas to go out and help people in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Carter added that the Disaster Relief program needs the energy college students can provide.
Kaytlynn Clemons, a student at University of Central Missouri, shared her experiences working in disaster relief and why she became involved in disaster relief.
“It is a very tangible way to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “Beyond meeting the physical needs, you can meet the spiritual needs of others. Barriers are broken down.”
Clemons said she has learned to work with people and build relationships — all while having fun.
“Like every good trip, there’s a lot of fun involved,” she said. “You get to travel. You get to meet people.”
The University’s Center for Global Connections wants to organize a team of SBU students who are ready to respond when disaster strikes.
“I want our students — you — to be ready when that call comes so we can take students,” said Kurt Caddy, Director of University Ministries.
Upcoming training
In cooperation with Southern Hills Baptist Church and the Mid-Lakes Baptist Association, SBU is hosting a Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief training session Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, on the SBU campus. The training is also open to community members who meet guidelines established by Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief. See http://www.mobaptist.org/mbcdr for more information.
Training will be given in five areas. Child Care teaches how to provide care for children in the midst of disaster while their parents are working to rebuild their lies. Mud Out teaches how to work in areas that have been flooded. Shower teaches volunteers to facilitate the use of the shower trailers for volunteers and those affected by disaster. Mass Care focuses on the feeding of multitudes during disasters. Chain Saw trains volunteers in safe use of a chain saw during disaster response.
Training costs $40. For more information about the local training opportunity, call Whitney Prewitt, Training Coordinator in the SBU Center for Global Connections, at (417) 328-1907.
Photo cutline: Dwain Carter, left, Disaster Relief Strategist with the Missouri Baptist Convention, visits with students after the chapel service in which he asked students to get out of their "comfort zone" and consider being trained to be disaster relief volunteers.
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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global socity. Formore information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.
