When a family loses everything in a disaster, they shouldn’t lose hope too.
When a person or family loses everything in a disaster, they often feel an overwhelming sense of despair. At GO-DRN, our primary goal is to restore hope by revealing the love of God to families impacted by disaster. We do this by offering emotional, spiritual and physical support with the help of Disaster Recovery Mentor (DRM) teams.
DRM teams consist of trained volunteers like you who work in partnership with the Church and dedicated GO-DRN staff members to mentor and walk with families through the recovery process, walking with them every step of the way until they’re back on their feet and in safe and clean homes.
A DIVINE CALLING FOR THE MISSIONARY HEART
Disaster Recovery Mentors play one of the most important and rewarding roles in a family’s recovery. As they develop relationships with the families they serve, they have opportunities to share the Gospel and Christ’s love for them. In this capacity, Disaster Recovery Mentors essentially serve as missionaries, spreading the word of God to families throughout Greater Orlando.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK ALONSIDE A FAMILY AS A SHEPHERD?
Meeting Emotional Needs:
- Spend time with those impacted, by listening and being present during times of need
- Discuss survivors’ concerns and challenges, and help them identify solutions
- Provide encouragement, compassion, love, prayer, and support
Meeting Spiritual Needs:
- Pray with survivors, inviting God into the recovery process
- Demonstrate Christ-like love through which the Gospel can be shared
- Share the hope found in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Meeting Physical Needs:
- Collaborate with survivors, GO-DRN shepherds and the Church to identify and meet family’s needs (i.e. food, clothing, medicine, housing, furniture, transportation, etc.)
- Help survivors access resources available through GO-DRN, the Church and other agencies
- Track each family’s progress, and celebrate God’s goodness throughout the duration of the recovery process (generally about 3 months)
- Provide additional support as needed (i.e. filling out forms, drive survivors to appointments, moving, etc.)
NOTE: Shepherds are NOT expected to contribute financially to a family’s recovery or be responsible for doing what a family can do for itself.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SHEPHERD?
Praise God! We respond to disasters year-round, so our need for Shepherds is always growing. Complete this short form and a GO-DRN team member will be in contact with you soon.
An active, empowered network of prepared churches, bringing hope into crisis through the transforming power of Jesus Christ to every life and community we serve.
Revelation 19:7
GO-DRN is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. Donations are tax deductible.
