Training and Credentialing

Disaster Relief Mississippi logo Training and credentialing is required for all volunteers desiring to serve with Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief. The purpose is twofold: 1) to insure a safe and efficient operation of the recovery activities; and, 2) to provide assurance to those being served as to the quality of volunteers being utilized. Training and credentialing is offered in three levels: Yellow Hat, Blue Hat, and White Hat.

Because of the situations and environments that we serve in, MS Baptist Disaster Relief requires all volunteers to complete at a minimum the “Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry” course. Additional ministry specific courses are available and are required for service in those ministry areas.

Upcoming Trainings:

2/7/26 – FBC Gautier
2/21/26 – FBC Taylorsville
3/7/26 – FBC Vicksburg
3/21/26 – FBC Abbeville
4/11/26 – Emmanuel BC, Greenville

Pre-registration Encouraged.
Check-in/Walk-in Registration begins at 7:30 AM.
Class begins at 8:00 AM. Classes complete prior to 4:00 PM. Lunch is provided.

Participants will complete Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry and one (1) specialty course area (Chainsaw, Feeding, Chaplaincy, Recovery & Support)

Course Fee: (Preregistration/Credit Card—Walk-in/Check or Cash)
$25.00 – (NEW VOLUNTEER credential w/Background Check)
$25.00 – (Credentialed Volunteer Renewal w/Background Check)
$15.00 – (currently credentialed volunteers adding specialty qualification)

Credentials can only be awarded to those completing the training, background check, and who are members of a congregation affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

Renewal/Recertification

Training and credentials are renewable every three years. To renew, a volunteer must

Complete the required background check; and,
Submit a new headshot photo to the Disaster Relief Office; and,
Complete the DR Credential Renewal Course or the Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry course; and,
Update their Volunteer Contact Information form with the Disaster Relief Office.

It is recommended that at the time of renewal, volunteers also complete their training specialty or another training specialty course.

Training Schedule

TBA – Contact hyates@mbcb.org for more information

Disaster Ready Church/Association is a strategy of Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief to prepare, engage, and connect the local church with disaster ministry opportunities on the local, state, national, and international levels.

Each Disaster Ready Church/Association will be:

PREPARED to effectively minister in local disaster situations by providing:

Basic emergency feeding (500 meals/day/3 days);
Basic recovery and cleanup tasks; and,
Basic shelter services where applicable.

ENGAGED with the task of bringing help, healing, and hope by being an active witness and testimony of the love of Jesus Christ to those affected by disasters.

CONNECTED to:

Ministry/response opportunities in their local areas through and with their local congregation/association; and,
Opportunities to minister in disaster/crisis situations across the state, region, nation, and internationally through the Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and SendRELIEF/NAMB/IMB/Baptist Global Relief.

The program is designed as a Discipleship/Study Course. Each session is approximately 1-1½ hours long and focused on congregational/associational readiness and practical ministry in times of disaster/crisis situations.

Disaster Ready Church / Disaster Ready Association may be presented in:

An 8-10 week, one presentation a week format; or
A week intensive (Monday-Friday, 2-2½ hours each night); or,
A weekend intensive (Friday/Saturday).

The presentation can be made in person (COVID protections), via ZOOM, and/or video-based delivery.

CONTENTS:

Session 1: Why Disaster Relief Ministry? (Biblical/Life Foundation)
Session 2: Personal Preparedness
Session 3: Church Preparedness
Session 4: Introduction to Disaster Relief
Session 5: The Basic Course I (Feeding)
Session 6: The Basic Course II (Cleanup and Recovery)
Session 7: The Basic Course III (Ministry and Witness)
Session 8: Shelter Operations I (optional)
Session 9: Shelter Operations II (optional)
Session 10: Engaging in Ministry/Wrap-up

At the completion of the training, participants will complete the Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief Volunteer Information form, Background Check form, and have a photo taken for credentialing within the Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer networks.

Participants completing Disaster Ready Church/Disaster Ready Association and completing credentialing requirements are qualified for response on any MBDR/ SBCDR response with BASIC opportunities. BASIC qualification provides the participant with the opportunity to participate in further training in a specialty area including Chainsaw, Flood Recovery, Mass Feeding, Child Care, Assessment, Chaplaincy, and Incident Management.