When disaster strikes, MNA has the high privilege of coordinating the PCA message of God’s love to those affected. We assist churches and presbyteries by helping them prepare for the certain coming storms and when the storms arrive and the needs presented are beyond the ability of the presbytery to respond on it’s own, MNA is available to assist.
Since 2004 MNA Disaster Response has provided leadership in responses to more than 65 major disasters occurring in 24 states. We have mobilized more than 170,000 volunteers, assisted thousands of families in desperate need and provided direct assistance to rebuild 26 PCA church physical plants.
We bring awareness, leadership, training, and prayer focus, as well as provide volunteer recruitment and mobilization, and channeling of relief funds to storm-affected PCA families and diaconates – empowering them to meet insurance deductibles and other financial obligations when necessary.
You can contact Mark Becker at MBecker@PCAnet.org or (225)456-4977 if you have questions, need assistance, or your church would like to be a host site for volunteer teams.
Below is some information we would like to share:
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A representative of MNA DR reaches out to each church
A text or email is sent asking about damage to the building and other parts of the property for the church, staff, and members.
A follow-up call is usually helpful if there has been significant damage
This information helps to determine if the scope of the response is within the capabilities of the impacted churches or presbytery.
If not, MNA DR resources can be requested.
Potential responses from MNA DR, depending on the extent of the damage to PCA churches and the member’s homes:
Chainsaws, dehumidifiers, and small generators, etc. can be sent in if there are enough volunteers, but there is a lack of necessary equipment.
Grant funds can be sent to the churches to help them financially if their building and/or member’s homes were damaged.
Advance team can come to the impacted area to assess damage to PCA churches and the surrounding area.
A response site can be set up in a church parking lot of a host church. This allows volunteers to come to assist with cleanup.
Sheds of Hope (sturdy 8’ x 8’ storage shed) kits can be provided to assist churches and homeowners that lost storage areas due to storm damage. These can be constructed by teams from nearby churches or volunteers that come in to assist.
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Response sites (at a host church) are established if the session invites MNA DR.
MNA DR serves as an extension of the local church. This can include serving as a ministry of the host church and PCA churches in the area that are impacted. The ultimate goal beyond providing physical assistance is to identify pastoral and diaconal needs of the congregation and make connections with the community that can lead to outreach opportunities.
The purpose of the host site is to provide a place for volunteer teams to stay while in the area to help with cleanup
The volunteers use the available kitchen, bathroom, and dining areas in the building, while bunk, shower, and equipment trailers provided by MNA DR, are set up in the church parking lot.
The site manager works with the deacons or other designated contacts to receive a list of members and others needing assistance. Meetings are also held with the session to offer support, receive guidance, discuss plans, and provide updates.
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Your giving goes to the following:
Monthly -ongoing expenses
One-time expenses (i.e. equipment purchases)
Dallas Depot (For operating expenses where some of our equipment and supplies are stored)
Designated storm funds (needed when MNA DR is providing assistance)
Ways to Give:
Online
Text
Send Text to 76959
Enter this information for the desired fund:
MNA 1866 (for Mark Becker)
MNA 1340 (for Rick Lenz)
MNA 1809 (for Dallas Depot)
Follow the prompts to complete the giving
Mail check to secure lockbox
MNA Disaster Response
PO Box 890233
Charlotte, NC 28289-0233
(Indicate fund that you are giving to on the memo line)
Other Donations - Please do not send or bring any equipment, clothing, water, etc. to the impacted area unless requested by MNA DR.
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Sign up online to create an account. This provides us your contact information and skills to help with future disaster responses.
Contact Mark Becker at MBecker@pcanet.org if you have questions or would like to be notified of upcoming training or projects to get ready for future storms.
Please do not “self-deploy”. Arrange the timing of your trip with Sherry Lanier (SLanier@pcanet.org) so that the housing, food, and projects can be provided.
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Schedule a MNA DR presentation to the congregation or small group.
I have a 30-45 minute presentation that I’d like to share with your church, presbytery, small group, Sunday school, or missions committee.
It includes pictures and experiences from storm responses, current plans and preparations, and other items to help engage more individuals and groups in this ministry.
Host training seminars
Bobcat operation – Skid-steer used for moving downed trees to the road.
Site manager intro – Site Manager oversees all of the aspects of a disaster response site.
Project coordinator – Calls homeowners from church, their friends and family, and community to determine and record what assistance is needed, like tree removal or removal of wet materials from a flooded home.
Hospitality coordinator – Coordinates meals and sleeping arrangements for volunteer teams that come to the disaster area.
Send teams to help with cleanup following a disaster. Team leader or coordinator starts making arrangements by sending an email to Sherry Lanier at SLanier@pcanet.org to get necessary forms, information, and to schedule the timing of the trip.
Develop disaster response plan for your church. Contact Mark Becker if you’d like a template and assistance.
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