Disaster Ministry Workshop at Wheaton College June 10-12

The Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) at Wheaton College will offer its second annual Disaster Ministry Workshop June 10-12, 2014. Designed to equip pastors and other church leaders to develop effective disaster ministries at their churches, the three-day workshop is headlined by keynote speaker Stephan Bauman, chief executive officer of World Relief.

Sessions will cover how to make congregations and communities more disaster-ready and resilient; the theology behind church engagement in disasters; plans for specific scenarios, such as an active shooter in the church; how to work with county, state, and federal resources; long-term recovery strategies; disaster spiritual and emotional care; and more. Participants who complete the full workshop can earn a Certificate of Completion in Disaster Ministry.

Workshop speakers include Chris McElwee, local impact pastor at Wheaton Bible Church; Levi Velasco, global and local outreach minister at The Moody Church; David Myers, director of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships; and Michael Masters, executive director of Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Wheaton faculty speakers include Dr. Jamie Aten, founder and co-director of HDI; Dr. David Boan, co-director of HDI; and Dr. Nicholas Perrin, professor of biblical studies.

“Churches are often the first on the ground to respond to disasters and often remain even after other recovery groups have left; however, most churches are not prepared for this work,” says Dr. Aten, who is Rech Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton. “This workshop is all about helping local churches learn how to be ready to minister and care for their congregations and communities in the event of a crisis or catastrophe.”

The Disaster Ministry Workshop will take place on the campus of Wheaton College, located at 501 College Avenue in Wheaton. The cost is $199 (before April 15), $225 (after April 15), or $75 per day. For more information, or to register for the Disaster Ministry Workshop, visit wheaton.edu/HDI, call 630.752.5104, or email HDI.Registration@wheaton.edu.

The Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College is the first faith-based academic disaster research center in the United States. Through applied research, training, and technical support, HDI helps congregations and faith-based organizations better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Learn more at wheaton.edu/HDI.