Hello World,
Let’s face it. Church buildings are supposed to be safe havens, but increasingly church buildings can be dangerous spaces. Next month on June 17, it will be the one-year anniversary of the tragic church shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. To that end, the Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) will host the 4th annual Disaster Ministry Conference at the Meyer Science Center on the campus of Wheaton College on June 7-10, 2016.
“The purpose of our conference is to equip church and lay leaders to lead their congregations in preparing for disasters and in serving those affected, as well as to foster collaboration between churches and other organizations,” said Dr. Jamie Aten, HDI’s founder and co-director, Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Associate Professor of Psychology, at Wheaton College.
The event will feature global leaders in the fields of disaster ministry, emergency management, humanitarian aid, public health and mental health. “Caring for the Vulnerable” is this year’s theme. In alignment with the theme, topics to be addressed will include discussions on refugee care, meeting the unique needs of people with disabilities and of children during and following disasters and more.
“Disasters are unrelenting in this fallen world—whether it’s tsunamis, hurricanes or active shooters, there always seems to be something that calls for a response from the people of God. HDI has become a global leader in helping the church respond to humanitarian disasters of all kinds,” said Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College.
Marcus Coleman, who currently serves as a Special Assistant for the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS Center)—one of thirteen centers under the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, is one of the featured speakers. He is a skilled coalition builder and strategic engagement professional with more than seven years of experience leading change in order to create more resilient communities. This includes expertise in cultivating, sustaining and leveraging results driven partnerships at the national and local level between government and non-governmental groups, including the private sector; and non-profit, philanthropic, faith-based, and civic society organizations.
Also, another one of the featured speakers is Rev. Michael Carrion, who serves as the pastor of Promised Land Covenant Church in the Bronx and played a key role in organizing outreach to Superstorm Sandy survivors.
“With expertise from speakers on topics critical to providing care for the vulnerable, participants will gain new knowledge, skills and networks for effectively leading their congregations in developing disaster ministries and becoming more resilient,” said Dr. Aten.
For a full list of speakers and the conference schedule visit www.disasterministryconference.com. Continuing education credits are available for mental health professionals.
HDI is the first social science research center in the country devoted to the study of faith and disasters. More information about the Humanitarian Disaster Institute is available at wheaton.edu/HDI.
Any thoughts?