Arizona Disaster Relief serves from Arizona to Florida in 2024

In 2024, Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (AZDR) stayed busy. Ninety-two volunteers served 13,445 hours, prepared 3,584 meals, provided 974 showers and made 2,469 ministry contacts.

“We had disaster responses in Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas,” said Don Vickers, Arizona Disaster Relief director.

Those responses included recovery of property and precious personal belongings after fires, floods, windstorms, hurricanes and tornados. AZDR teams worked in cooperation with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams from other states as well as assisting the Red Cross and Salvation Army teams. Most of all, they provided hope, help and healing to people mentally, physically and spiritually devastated by disasters.

“Chaplains —always embedded in our teams — listen to the homeowners’ stories and watch for opportunities to share the gospel,” Vickers said.

“This year the Lord presented a rare opportunity to assist FEMA at a community assistance center in Fort Myers Beach, Florida,” he said. “There, our chaplains brought comfort and hope for many days to distraught residents, many of whom were so distressed
they were considering harming themselves.”

All volunteers are the hands and feet of Jesus, providing compassion, spiritual encouragement and companionship to those affected by disaster and to each other.

One widow enjoyed the camaraderie and support of the team so much she stayed in her home while they worked, Vickers said.

She was disappointed that they finished the work in two days.

AZDR assessors determine the scope of damage, how the team can help residents, and the makeup of each team based on the type of help needed. Whether it is praying for and comforting those who have lost their homes or loved ones, removing ashes from burned homes or wet sheetrock after a flood, searching for precious personal items, moving rocks, cutting up broken branches or fallen trees, driving a skip loader, cleaning showers, doing laundry, driving a truck, feeding victims and volunteers or keeping track of logistics and supplies, there is a job for every volunteer.

AZDR Task Force member Eldon Curry shared a story about a recent incident in New Mexico. It shows how AZDR volunteers made a difference in the lives of two people.

“Following an evacuation notice, the couple started driving down the mountain, with the husband driving a pickup pulling an RV and the wife following in a car,” Curry said. “Disoriented by the fire nearby and lots of smoke, the husband drove off an embankment. He managed to get up the hill to his wife, and with fire all around, they managed to escape in the car. They lost their truck, RV and home but were grateful to be alive.”

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief helped this couple 14 years earlier when they lost their previous home in a fire.
There are almost 300 volunteers across Arizona, representing about 70 churches. There are more than 450 churches in the Arizona Mission Network.

“We’ve got a long way to go to get more people [to volunteer and be trained] to help,” Vickers said.

Twenty-two opportunities to serve were available in 2024. Seven were AZDR training and equipping, six were opportunities to support other organizations, and nine were disaster responses in five states.

AZDR is preparing to send feeding team support to California as soon as they get the word.

The first AZDR training in 2025 was held in Phoenix on January 17-18. Additional training opportunities are scheduled for Yuma, Sierra Vista, Kingman and Tucson in January and February.

See the classes and dates and register for training here.

Irene A. Harkleroad, a freelance writer living in Carefree, is a member of Black Mountain Baptist Church, Cave Creek.