Briarwood Disaster Response Team (DRT)

Mission: For God’s glory, the Briarwood Disaster Response Team exists to serve churches and individuals in disaster-affected communities through:

  • Bringing the Hope of Christ
  • Mobilizing the Local Church
  • Performing Damage & Need Assessment
  • Dispatching Disaster Response Crews

We see serving those in need as a basic expression of Christ’s love. When disaster strikes a community, near or far, church members want to do something to express their concern and care. We take seriously our stewardship of the resources God has provided, that we might be prepared to serve in both the “day of prosperity” and the “day of adversity” (Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Location: Briarwood’s DRT prioritizes our service in the following order:

  • Local – We desire to start by focusing our efforts on assuring that members’ and regular attenders’ homes are habitable and making sure our church facility is open for worship. Church members who have damage to their home will find it more difficult to reach out to their neighbors. For that reason, our priorities are generally as follow:
  • Members and regular attenders
  • People connected with the church (family members, neighbors, etc.)
  • Others in the community
  • Regional – Once local needs are met, we will consider regional requests for disaster response.
  • National – Once local and regional needs are met, we will consider requests for disaster response.

Service Opportunities and Trainings:

Jan 17th – MNA Disaster Response Warehouse Volunteer Workday – What a great way to kick off the year gathering with friends and serving together on needed projects at the MNA DR Warehouse in Rome, GA, 9 AM to 4 PM local time. Billy Ball will head up this event for us. Sign up MNA Warehouse Workday

Feb 7th – DRT Field Training Day – This training has been postponed. Be praying for our Disaster Response Team as they are in Oxford, MS assisting with recovery efforts following Winter Storm Fern. We will share a new training date as soon as it is rescheduled.

Mar 7th – DRT Vision BBQ – Come enjoy good BBQ prepared by the DRT Hospitality Team from 12 PM to 2 PM. This will be an event to celebrate the development of the Disaster Response Team. It will also be a great opportunity to learn more about ways to use your gifts to serve with Disaster Response. Max Bunn and Mike Mungenast will head up this event. To participate in this event, sign up here DRT Vision BBQ.

Mar 23-25 – Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church Sheds of Hope Build Days – Sheds of HOPE are dry storage sheds provided for free to families who have lost their homes to disasters such as hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, and floods. Sheds are built by volunteers and flat-packed. They are then delivered to a disaster site where they are set up to provide families with secure storage and to build bridges of ministry during recovery.  We will learn from the most efficient and productive team (LOPC) how to manufacture these kits. James Taylor & Tony Carter will head up this event. To participate in this event, sign up here Sheds of Hope Build Days.

Apr 11th – Disaster Preparedness Training – The time to prepare for disaster is before a disaster strikes. Come and hear how to develop a plan for your family, church, and community. Russell Long will head up this event. To participate in this training, sign up here Disaster Preparedness Training.

Contact: For more information or to learn how you can get involved contact Russel Long at 404-862-0716

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________