Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief is now, October 17, 2025, in full deployment mode! Our current need is for Chaplains, Shower and Laundry volunteers and Ministry Registration Help at the Egan Center, downtown - Anchorage. Several hundred people, perhaps more are being sheltered at that location. At this time we are not setting up housing or feeding for our volunteers! If you have your gold shirt and can serve please contact us! We do have people offering to come in from out of town and out of state and therefore we might have need for an Anchorage church to house volunteers and their kitchen facilities so we can feed our volunteers.
Our current White Hat for this operation is Ryan Deatherage. He is primarily serving out of the Alaska EOC on JBER! At least 49 villages, covering an area larger than the state of Colorado, are reporting significant damage with perhaps 2000 people needing sheltering, so Ryan's job is to keep us informed as he works with and deals with emergency management across the state. Big, big task!
Our immediate ministry is the Shower and Laundry unit set up at the Egan Center, Anchorage. We would like at least one chaplain and one or more shower and laundry attendant(s) there all the time that we are operating! A third person might be available to provide information and do check in so that we have names, etc. for those using our shower or laundry! Others are bringing in shower units, but as far as I know we are the only laundry??? To volunteer - Contact us on the website www.abcdr.org. -  Contact Gary.
Tim Brown is our lead chaplain. Denny Thomas is heading up the Shower and Laundry set up. Denny is setting up today and will be taking reservations for volunteers by tomorrow morning. Cathy Arns is coordinating Sign in/Admin. At this point all volunteers need to have a gold shirt. Perhaps tomorrow we will be on site with ID badges and can enlist SUVs (untrained volunteers) to assist us. Thank you so much for stepping up during this critical time as we seek to bring help and healing to Alaskans who are in crisis. Gary
Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief Update:
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Bringing Help, Hope, and Healing to Alaskans in Crisis
Pictured are some of our 2025 Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief Leadership Team. Join us! Consider being a vital part of bringing Help, Hope, and Healing to others through Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief!
The best way to get involved is to "join us" in training. We are scheduling our BASIC TRAINING, sometimes called DR 101 in local churches. Check on Contact Gary to schedule training at your church or to ask a question.
Support Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief
Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief relies on generous donors to provide critical services during disasters. From clearing debris to offering meals and spiritual care, volunteers serve wherever there's need. Your support equips teams to bring timely relief and hope to Alaskan families.
To give online, click on the button below. Then under "Select a fund," choose "Alaska Disaster Relief." Thank you so much for your generous gift.
Updated October 18, 2025
Ready to take a closer look? Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is a Christian network bringing HELP, HOPE, and HEALING to people in crisis.
Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief, is a ministry of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network, working with our national partner - Send Relief, plus 1000s of churches within 42 Southern Baptist State Conventions serving, preparing, and training collaboratively for God's glory and sharing God's great love for the good of people, especially during times of crisis when people are seeking answers! Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief offers preparation and training sessions throughout the year in local churches to enable families, church volunteers, and team members to respond in their community and throughout our state alongside FEMA, Emergency Management, and other government, private, and faith-based agencies and/or ministries.
With preparation and training within local churches and by "Calling Out" more than 95,000+ currently equipped volunteers on state disaster relief teams, we respond to most disasters in the US and 100s more across the world each year. "We envision all SBC life engaged in disaster relief preparation and training through the church, to serve the community, and for the Gospel." By God's grace, we bring Help and Hope, and the Gospel brings Healing. God started His kingdom on earth with Jesus – it is Good News! In a very troubled world, He is reconciling all things to himself (Col. 1:20).
Serving with you, Gary Bearce, Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief Coordinator
Click on CONTACT GARY to ask questions, request a contact, or volunteer!!!
