When more than 830 South Carolina disaster relief volunteers gathered Oct. 9-10 at Ashley River Baptist Church in Charleston for an annual training conference, it marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of South Carolina Disaster Relief.
It was also the same number of years since Hurricane Hugo plowed through the state, leading to the birth of SCDR.
“God has blessed in these last 20 years; now South Carolina Baptists can thank God that our state has the second-largest disaster relief team in the Southern Baptist Convention,” said South Carolina Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer Jim Austin.
Hurricane Hugo left much of South Carolina in a state of disaster after it made landfall in Charleston as a category 4 hurricane on Sept. 21, 1989. Ed Carney, then pastor of Ashley River Baptist Church in Charleston, told volunteers about his experiences as he made his way back into the devastated city.
As he approached the neighborhood where he lived, Carney recognized very little. Overwhelmed with the damage to the church building and with clearing out flood water and debris, he also learned about a death within the church family. Carney was contacted by the South Carolina Baptist Convention and asked if a Disaster Relief feeding unit from Louisiana could set up in the church parking lot.
“What I didn’t know at that point was that the disaster relief group was part of my healing,” he said. “Thank you, Disaster Relief, for saving our lives, thank you.”
In the last two decades, there have been 117 disasters and 130 DR units in South Carolina alone. South Carolina units have also helped victims affected by hurricanes Andrew and Katrina, devastating floods in Honduras, and the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
When a disaster occurs, DR units help in many ways. State director Cliff Satterwhite said disaster relief is a ministry that “anyone from any size church can do.” Volunteers assist with cooking and feeding units, childcare, medical, mud-out, chainsaw units, command posts, crisis interveners, and even education related to the H1N1 vaccination. Volunteers must be trained and earn proper credentials so they are prepared and equipped for safety as they enter disaster areas.
Several volunteers were recognized for their ministry and service. The Creamer Award for “exemplary service by a disaster relief woman” was given to Emmie Zirkle, member of Trinity Baptist Church, Lugoff. Bob and Jerri Allen, members of Northside Baptist Church, Rock Hill, received the Buckner Award for leadership in both SCDR and another volunteer agency. The Thompson Award, recognizing “exemplary service and leadership in a rural area,” was given to Robert Causey of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Charleston.
The Dixon Award for lifetime service in local, state, national and international disaster relief was awarded to Jessie Stafford, member of Summerville Baptist Church.
Satterwhite was also recognized at the meeting with several honors. Ken Norton, DR task force member and member of First Baptist Church, Greer, presented Satterwhite with a book of letters from DR volunteers and teams who shared memories and thanked him for his years of service. “Not all of the letters are included here; they are written in the hearts and souls of people all over this world,” Norton said.
Satterwhite was also awarded the Order of the Palmetto, given by Gov. Mark Sanford. The award was presented by Stovall Witte on behalf of Charleston Southern University president Jairy Hunter. Sanford wrote that Satterwhite’s “entire life has been marked by levels of achievements that have brought enormous credit to our state. You have had a tremendous impact on the rapid increase of disaster relief in our nation and throughout the world.”
Satterwhite said he accepted the honor on behalf of every South Carolina Baptist’s work in disaster relief. “It represents what South Carolina Baptists are doing for the kingdom,” he said. “The 6,500 or more disaster relief volunteers are like my family, so any honor that comes to me, comes to us.” – SCBC