The multi-car crash was the worst in Georgia's history. Nearly 125 cars were involved in a pile-up on I-75 near Dalton on a foggy spring morning.

Throughout that day - March 14, 2002 - the injured were taken to a nearby Fort Oglethorpe hospital where Southern Baptist chaplain Pat Davis worked. Davis spent his day with victims and their families, but in the aftermath his job was with those who responded to the accident.

"I worked with fire fighters and police officers in a group setting, helping them to process their feelings," Davis said.

Davis is certified in crisis intervention to work with groups. Recently, however, he added a one-on-one crisis intervention certification that he received after attending a GBC-sponsored course.

"That's so important because where there is a traumatic event of any kind - and they happen every day - police and fire headquarters call for debriefers.

But they want to know you're certified," he explained.

Critical Incidence Stress Management certification is now offered by GBC Church and Community Ministries Consultant Ricky Thrasher.

"This teaches people how to go to a crisis situation and intervene to keep people from moving further into post-stress syndromes," Thrasher said. "It's like first-aid for the emotions. It helps them go back to their normal lives."

Jim Boyd, pastor of Corinth Church in LaFayette, attended the recent certification course after dealing with the Noble crematorium tragedy.

"I went (to the crematorium) and helped some. I really saw a need there," he said. The stress management training would have helped in that situation.

"This was one of the best conferences I've been to. We did a lot of role playing and Ricky got as close to crisis situations as I've seen in a conference."

Boyd has found the training useful in everyday ministry as well. "We were trained to help the workers and responders, but you can also use (the training) to help anyone begin to work through a crisis."

 

Did you know...

Critical Incidence Stress Management courses are certified through the International Critical Incidence Stress Management. Courses are taught by Ricky Thrasher. For more information about future certification course, see www.gabaptist.org or call (770) 936-5222 or 1-800 RING GBC.

Pastoral Crisis Intervention courses will be offered Jan. 12-13 at Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe and Jan. 30-31 at Community Crisis Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Your church's giving through the Cooperative Program is vital to the missions and ministries of the GBC and the Southern Baptist Convention.

For more information or to order free educational materials on the Cooperative Program, contact the GBC Cooperative Program office at ahill@gabaptist.org or (770) 936-5240 or at 1-800 RING GBC.

 

You and your church may send Cooperative Program gifts to:

Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Director
Georgia Baptist Convention
2930 Flowers Rd., South
Atlanta, GA 30341-5532