CBDR receiving special recognition from the Boulder Sheriff’s Department for work done in the Marshall Fire
History of Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief
The Colorado Baptist General Convention’s (CBGC) Disaster Relief Unit (DR) was in place as needed prior to 1995. In 1995, Dr. Veryl Henderson came to CBGC from Hawaii where he was in the ministry and also active with Hawaii’s DR ministering in the wake of typhoons and volcanoes. Veryl brought organization to DR and started training volunteers and preparing them for the intense work ahead.
Over the years the membership grew along with the training and needed equipment. Vehicles were donated by SBDR groups from Oklahoma, Texas and The North American Mission Board (NAMB).
Deployments were not only for floods and fires in Colorado and deployments around the country, but some overseas disasters in Indonesia helping with clean up after a tsunami as well as in American Samoa to help in clean up after an earthquake and tsunami.
Over the years the following served as CBDR State Directors:
- Veryl Henderson
- Charlie Brown
- Mike Gaines
- Dennis Belz
If you get to read the complete history, you will see the many deployments that have occurred and responded to by our Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief Volunteers.
Many of the vehicles that were donated were kept active in responding to disasters way beyond their prime. For example a Water Pump Truck that was 36 years old was just retired from our fleet a year ago after having difficulties making it up and down the Colorado mountains. After we completed a recent fire clean up in Grand County, two of our old vehicles had to be replaced.
With donations, gifts and grants from organizations and churches, CBDR now has a newer fleet of vehicles and trailer to help us improve our ministry of Bringing: Help, Hope and Healing.
In 2012 when I was asked to serve as the CBDR State Director, a person said “Nothing happens in Colorado”. In just a few days, we were faced with the Black Forest Fire which was followed by the 100 year flood along the Colorado Front Range. It has been a very busy time over the years for our volunteers who are so faithful to serve others in need.
What else will be added to the history of CBDR in the near future? We do not know, but we are always getting ready to meet the needs and are thankful for all the prayers and support that have been given by so many churches and individuals.
Our Mission
Our objective is to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and communities suffering in times of disaster.
From Our State Director
“I have been involved in Disaster Relief for over 20 years. One of my gifts is being a “People Person” and I have always loved helping people which is what this ministry is all about.
I have served in many areas of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief over these years and when I moved to Colorado, I was asked to serve as the State Disaster Relief Director. This ministry, is Missions and Evangelism in action as we minister to BRING: Help, Hope and Healing to those involved in disasters.
It is exciting to see how the Lord uses each of our volunteers in touching lives while we are deployed to disasters. When we arrive, people are still struggling from their losses, but they always thank us for the help and smiling faces which encourage them during these difficult times.”
Dennis Belz
State Director
Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief