By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
GLENMORA, La. (LBM) – When disaster strikes, your gifts to the Louisiana Missions Offering, named after the historical state missionary Georgia Barnette, help provide relief for those affected in Louisiana and beyond, James Irvine shared with the Baptist Message.
During the last 19 years, Irvine and his Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower trailer have offered a mainstay ministry of care for individuals impacted by 90 catastrophic events.
Since driving the trailer to south Louisiana to his first disaster response effort only days after Hurricane Katrina impacted the area in 2005, Irvine has traveled thousands of miles across the United States immediately after the devastation of hurricanes, floods, ice storms, tornadoes and fires.
Importantly, his motivation is “to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name,” without strings attached but in the hope that someone will ask, “Why?” That gives him the opening to share about Jesus, he said.
“When they do accept Christ, it’s very rewarding because you have been successful in your mission,”
Irvine told the Baptist Message. “Sometimes it gets frustrating, but you have to remember it’s not about you but your Lord and Savior. Even though it gets stressful, and maybe even overwhelming, it’s rewarding because you desire to help people.”
Born in Lecompte, Irvine developed a love for missions after participating in two overseas mission trips while he was living in Lake Charles in the late 1980s. His prayer was that God would allow him to retire early so he could participate more in missions, a prayer that was answered as he reached the age of 55 in March 2005.
Nineteen years later, Irvine continues to serve the Lord as a proud member of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief.
One of his most enduring memories is about a man he led to Christ in the aftermath of a response to flooding in Kentucky in August 2022.
While refueling at an Alexandria gasoline station, Irvine struck up a conversation with a young man who asked about applying for a job with LBDR. Instead of securing employment, Justin left with something far better — a relationship with Christ.
Irvine, along with LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, prayed with Justin after he gave his life to the Lord.
Irvine said he was reminded to look for opportunities and to use every encounter with others to share the ‘good news’ found in the Lord.
“Moments like that remind me how much of a blessing I have received during these responses,” Irvine said. “I can never repay the Lord for what He did for me on the cross, but I can serve Him through disaster relief. He
allows me to see firsthand people accept Him and that is so rewarding.”
Irvine is among 2,000 Louisiana Baptists who are trained to serve on Disaster Relief teams.
Statham said the service of our volunteers ensures LBDR can continue the mission to share Christ’s love amid some of the most difficult moments in life.
In 2023, 200 individuals completed disaster relief training sessions. For those who might want to be part of
this vital ministry to Louisiana and across the nation, training sessions are planned for 2024:
— Feb.2-3, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville
— Feb. 23-24, First Baptist Church, DeRidder
— March 8-9, Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge
— April 12-13, Temple Baptist Church, Ruston
— April 19-20, Maplewood First Baptist Church, Sulphur
“The greater number of trained volunteers, the greater number who can be deployed,” Statham explained.
Disaster Relief is supported in part through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering. Barnette was the first executive director of Louisiana’s Woman’s Missionary Union. The Georgia Barnette Offering annual Week of Prayer is set for Sept. 10-17, with a goal of raising $1.75 million. For more information, visit georgiabarnette.org.
To donate or learn how to be a part of a LBDR team, visit louisianabaptists.org/dr
