Better Together

By Kenneth Akers

While many of you are familiar with the title phrase, I have a different understanding of what it means. In 2005, Master’s Men set up the Free Will Baptist Disaster Response Team. Following Hurricane Katrina, we were able to mobilize dozens of volunteers to assist the Gulf Coast recovery.

Since that time, we have worked with state Master’s Men groups, state disaster response teams, and many local churches. It always has been, and always will be, a team effort. Because of the size of our country and the many areas marked by disaster, we are not always able to get teams to distant locations. When a hurricane hits Texas, it is easier for a local group to help rather than a team from the East Coast (which might be involved in their own response efforts in that region).
We have seen groups step up time after time, with each new disaster.

Several years ago, the disaster response team formed regional directors to assist locations close to them. I appreciate these men who continue to give time and effort to organize response efforts. We understand with everyday responsibilities, it’s not always easy to drop everything and go to the next disaster site. That’s why we need more volunteers involved.

Over the past 15 years, hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women have stepped in to offer assistance. While not everyone can go, you can support those who do. We have been blessed with trailers and equipment. All of this needs to be onsite during response activities. To travel to the disaster sites and keep equipment stored and maintained takes money. Would you consider making a donation or, better yet, put Master’s Men DRT in your church budget?

While I would love to list everyone and every group that has assisted over the years, I’m sure I would miss more than a few. Please know God hasn’t forgotten your work and will honor your service done in His name.

We are better together!

If you would like to be added to the DRT email list or make a donation, contact Master’s Men at masters@nafwb.org or send a check to: Master’s Men DRT, PO Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011.

About the Writer: Ken Akers is CFO of North American Ministries and director of Master’s Men. Learn more: www.fwbmastersmen.org/disaster-relief.