Disaster Relief

Southern Baptists are one of the largest non-government organizations performing disaster relief services in the United States, ranking third after American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. The Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board (NAMB) performs a coordinating role for the state Baptist conventions, where disaster relief volunteers are recruited, trained, and activated for service.

MWBC Disaster Relief ministries are designed to:

Provide ministry opportunities for M-W Baptists to become involved in meeting human needs and in giving a tangible witness in the Name of Christ to people victimized by disasters.

Open doors for relationships with individual people and community/state agencies which allow M-W Baptists to go into every community and place with a Gospel witness.

What kind of disaster relief is MWBC able to provide? We currently have fully trained volunteers on each of our units: Childcare Unit, Chainsaw Unit, Feeding Unit, Shower/Laundry, Mudout, and Chaplaincy Unit. We have fully equipped and mobile trailers for the Childcare, Chainsaw, Mudout, Shower/Laundry, and Feeding Units. For detailed information and photos, click here.

How can I get involved? A good first step to getting involved is to attend one of our training sessions. There you will learn the basics of disaster

relief volunteerism, as well as receiving hands on training in one or more areas of disaster relief. You will have the opportunity to complete a Volunteer Packet at the training session - or download and complete it now. Learn more here.

Upcoming Training Events Check here often to see what new training is being offered.

Requirements to Volunteer Any Southern Baptist adult or youth church member who meets the basic training requirements and desires to be a part of the MWBC Disaster Relief ministries when a disaster occurs can volunteer. (Youth volunteers, 7^th – 12^th grade, can ONLY respond to disasters within Minnesota and Wisconsin).

Southern Baptists National Response Learn about how Southern Baptists across America work together in a disaster.

Our Leadership

MWBC Executive Director Leo Endel

Disaster Relief Co-Directors Dave and Jeanne Wedekind

Disaster Relief Coordinator Brad O'Grosky

Hmong Community Mycie Vue and Chou Vang
Ministry Assistant Dee Dunn O'Grosky

Volunteer Coordinator Diann Dill

Webpage Designer Dee Dunn O'Grosky

Unit Directors

Chainsaw/Recovery Unit Director Brad O'Grosky

Chaplaincy Unit Director Jef Skinner

Chaplaincy Unit Director Rich Williamson
DR Temporary Child Care Unit Director Mary Krome

Feeding Unit Director Dick Cashwell

Mud-Out Unit Co-Directors Dan and Juli Pottner

Prayer Support Unit Director Dennis Hansen

Recovery Unit Director Tom Bickford

Shower/Laundry Unit Co-Directors Jim and Sharon Lee

Associational Coordinators
Bay Lakes Association DR Coordinator Jill Meiers

Central Association DR Coordinator Brad O'Grosky

Hmong Coordinators Mycie Vue and Chou Vang

Lakeland Association DR Coordinator Diann Dill
Northwoods Association DR Coordinator Larry Reedy
Twin Cities Association DR Coordinator Ed Olson

What Does That Mean?

MWBC - Minnesota Wisconsin Baptist Convention

NAMB - North American Mission Board

IMB - International Mission Board

SBC - Southern Baptist Convention

VOAD - Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

ARC - American Red Cross

TSA - The Salvation Army

DRTCC - Disaster Relief Temporary Child Care

(previously TECC – Temporary Emergency Child Care)