WINFIELD, Pa. (BRN) – A May 30, 2025, fundraising banquet to raise capital to build a Baptist Resource Network (BRN) Response and Relief Center resulted in over $150,000 in offerings and pledges. When added to the previously raised $147,000, the amount is enough for building to begin, said Kenton Hunt, BRN’s disaster relief director. He spearheaded the banquet and offered tours of the building’s site.
For the past two years, the “Building Our Future” campaign has sought to engage BRN churches and disaster relief volunteers and partners in raising funds to build a warehouse on property owned by Winfield Baptist Church. The church, which has been a strong supporter of BRN Disaster Relief, has donated the property for the ministry facility, which will be a two-story, 60’ x 120’ building that will be used for training, lodging, planning, storage, asset maintenance, and much more. More specifically, the space will be used to:
- be a Northeast U.S. hub for staging materials and supplies for rapid disaster response and relief needs, thereby supporting communities affected by natural disasters and community crisis;
- house, maintain, and shelter Disaster Relief equipment and assets from the BRN and its partners (presently, the BRN has 24 units that would benefit from being stored away from inclement weather);
- train churches and mission teams in compassion ministry and rapid disaster response, preparing them for designation as a Ready Church (a church that can respond to a crisis with great capability and efficiency); and
- utilize space for training and mission team lodging.
In addition to the vehicle storage, the Disaster Relief building will have several other rooms that will provide the training and accommodations space for volunteers.
The building also will be accessible for Region 3 of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, which is comprised of the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D), Baptist Churches of New England (BCNE), and the Baptist Convention of New York (BCNY).
When presenting a significant donation toward the effort, Keith Myer, BCM/D Ready missionary, noted, “We are at our best when we‘re cooperating. When you unite humility with cooperation with Jesus, you get humble faithful service, and amazing things happen.”
Ed Lucas, BCNE’s disaster relief director, also expressed gratitude for the Region 3 partnership, saying it brought “mutual encouragement through prayer and the Lord’s strength.”
Noting the project was of “Kingdom importance,” David “Coy” Webb, crisis response director for Send Relief, asked attendees how they could “be the church in hard places.” He pointed to Titus in Titus 3:14, who urged Christians to do good works and meet urgent needs so that they would not be unfruitful.
The world is broken through disasters, such as “floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, violence and wars,” Webb said. “It will continue to be broken until our Lord comes back.”
Adding that people “need to see demonstrations of the Gospel before they hear, see and believe the Gospel,” he stressed, “I hope you understand that this building is more than a building. It is an opportunity to open doors to provide real hope… share Christ… and see lives changed.”
In his comments, BRN Executive Director Barry Whitworth shared his recent experiences working with Gen Z students and young adults during a response to Hurricane Helene.
“There are young people who are hungry to make a difference for Jesus like this. This building is about leaving a legacy for the next generation.”
He added, “This partnership effort is about giving to something bigger, to inspiring people to get out of their comfort zones, learn how to be more compassionate, and be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
“This is bigger than any other tinker toy that I’ve put together,” agreed Hunt, sharing his vision for a movement of disciple-making to break out because of the ministry training and preparation that would take place in the facility. He also introduced the next phase of the campaign, a $1 million endowment.
The endowment would provide an annual, or perpetual, source of revenue and ensure that PA/NJ Disaster Relief has funds every year to care for its assets (trailers, equipment, and facility), train volunteers, and funds for disaster response.
Hunt also shared about specialty items that individuals and churches could fund, including a forklift, vehicle lift, side by side all terrain vehicle, walk-in freezer, back-up generator, and a shed which could be staged for demonstrations and skills practice.
Phil Huggins, pastor of First Baptist Church of Rochester, Pa., and his wife Kristi serve as DR chaplains. He urged the banquet attendees to serve and give. “No church is too small,” he said.
Rob Sheldon of Greencastle Baptist Church shared testimonies of how disaster relief work after a flood near his former church prompted “softened hearts for the Kingdom of God.” He credits disaster relief for a later “explosion of faith” in his church.
Hunt has experienced similar explosions of faith. “I couldn’t dream of how we could raise this much to build this building!” he said, humbly thanking the participants for their generosity.
The Baptist Resource Network also expresses gratitude to one of its preferred partners, Ministry Trust, who sponsored the night’s meal.
For those who want to donate, it’s not too late to give! Go to brnunited.org/give and select Disaster Relief. Click here to view a project prospectus.
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