wfn.org | Newsline: Project leaders are trained for disaster response

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

PROJECT LEADERS ARE TRAINED FOR DISASTER RESPONSE

(July 22, 2009) Elgin, IL -- "I always knew there was a lot that went on be hind the scenes but I had no idea..." stated one participant during a Breth ren Disaster Ministries' project leadership training held May 26-June 4.

The 10-day training event brought 16 individuals from across the country to  the Church of the Brethren's disaster ministries project in Louisiana, foc using on servant leadership, teamwork, and communication. The event also in cluded workshops on safety, volunteer management, household management, coo king, construction management, record keeping, and much more.

Interspersed between workshops, participants were given hands-on opportunit ies to participate in construction activities as they learned new skills an d honed skills in areas such as drywall, window and door installation, floo ring, trim carpentry, etc.

During a day-long workshop presented by On Earth Peace, a Church of the Bre thren agency focused on peacemaking and peace eduction, participants learne d about different personality types and how they affect teamwork, communica tion, and interpersonal relationships.

Labeled a success by both participants and trainers, a similar model for wo rkshops is expected to be used in future trainings.

"Brethren Disaster Ministries project leaders are the backbone of the domes tic rebuild program and vital to this ministry. While we are excited about  the newly trained leaders and the possibilities that lie ahead, we have see n an increase in weekly volunteerism and recognize the need to train more l eaders to meet that demand," said Zach Wolgemuth, associate director.

Brethren Disaster Ministries expects to offer another project leader traini ng in the near future; interested individuals are invited to contact 800-45 1-4407.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the Unit ed States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria,  Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org