June 22, 2025
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Just weeks after returning from a month-long flood recovery deployment in Kentucky, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief (GBDR) teams are once again preparing to serve the Bluegrass State — this time in response to a deadly tornado outbreak that claimed at least 27 lives and left widespread destruction across southeastern Kentucky.
“This is an all-call for current credentialed GBDR volunteers,” said Dwain Carter, state director of Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief. “The need to bring help, hope, and healing is great.”
Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief has asked Georgia to establish and manage an area-wide recovery site to assist families devastated by the storms. The initial deployment is focused on London, Kentucky, where early assessments are underway. GBDR teams are currently on standby status, with crews being assembled and prepared to travel as soon as they receive the green light from Kentucky leaders.
One chainsaw unit will deploy this week, with other teams on standby pending damage assessments by KYDR.
The response comes as Kentucky continues to face a string of severe weather events, the latest of which struck over the weekend, killing 19 people in Kentucky alone, including Fire Department Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran killed while responding to the disaster. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and parts of two dozen state roads were closed, with some expected to remain inaccessible for days.
GBDR volunteers are mobilizing for tornado recovery just after some teams have returned from Kentucky after serving flood-stricken communities over the past several weeks. During that deployment, Georgia teams led a multi-county effort based at Buck Creek Baptist Church in Calhoun, Kentucky, providing cleanup, recovery, assessment, feeding, chaplaincy, and family care support for families affected by historic river flooding.
GBDR volunteers provided 430 volunteer days of work, completing 26 mud-out jobs and placing 238 Bibles in the hands of residents still reeling from the storm. Most importantly, 73 gospel conversations took place, and five individuals came to saving faith in Christ. It's a vivid demonstration that when Georgia Baptists respond to crisis, they bring more than help—they bring hope and the good news of the gospel.
“In the midst of disaster, God continues to open doors for ministry,” Carter said of that flood response. “Now, we have another opportunity to serve.”
The repeated disasters have placed enormous strain on Kentucky communities, many of which are still recovering from prior storms. Carter asked volunteers to remain flexible and prayerful as details for the tornado response are finalized.
“We are grateful for every volunteer who says yes. The need is great, but our God is greater, and we are honored to stand with Kentucky in this time of need," he said.
For more information on how to volunteer with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief, or to support the effort financially, visit gabaptist.org/disasterrelief.
