ATLANTA (ABP) — Charles Ray, a long-time Little Rock, Ark., resident, has been named the first coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's U.S.-based disaster response team. He'll begin his new position Jan. 1, 2007.
The two-year position was created through a partnership between national CBF and CBF of Arkansas, who are jointly funding the position. Other state and regional CBF organizations are funding operational expenses for the position.
Ray will also continue in his current role as disaster-response coordinator for Arkansas CBF, a position he assumed shortly after Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane's widespread damage prompted the Fellowship to expand its disaster-response efforts.
Rob Nash, CBF's global missions coordinator, said the partnership would help CBF mount a well-organized response to future national disasters.
“We are excited about this partnership … that brings a person with Charles Ray's qualifications and abilities to provide leadership to our national disaster-response efforts,” Nash said.
Based on the disaster-response assets and capabilities of CBF state and regional organizations, Ray will develop a national disaster-response plan for the Fellowship. He will also work with governmental and non-profit agencies to respond quickly to disasters, especially in the formation and dispatch of an initial response team.
“CBF wants to be a player particularly among the people [who are] hurt the worst and have the fewest resources to recover,” Ray said. He attends Second Baptist Church of Little Rock.
David Harding, the Fellowship's international coordinator for emergency response and transformational development, previously coordinated CBF's response to U.S. disasters and will now focus on international efforts.
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— Carla Wynn is a news writer for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.