Page 28 - Western Recorder October Issue

28 Western Recorder ǀ October 2020
By CHIP HUTCHESON
Coy Webb, who led Kentucky Baptist disaster relief efforts for more than 12 years, finds himself in a new role that began Oct. 1 — leading a new disaster relief initiative that will serve not only North America, but the world. It is a crisis response arm of Send Relief that is a partnership of the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board to provide compassion ministry worldwide.
Bryant Wright, who was named president of Send Relief in February, said Webb will oversee both domestic and international crisis response operations, and will ensure appropriate crisis response training is delivered effectively and timely so a quick response capability is maintained.
“He will oversee U.S.-based coordination of crisis response globally ... and ensuring crisis responses honor Christ and provide for needs appropriately,” Wright said in an email to KBC Communications.
Wright described Webb as “the real thing in his heart for Christ, the Great
Commission and this type of ministry,” noting Webb’s long-tenured role with Kentucky Baptists. “Coy brings abundant experience in the areas of crisis response and building partnerships, and has relationships throughout the SBC and internationally that position him for success in this role.”
How can Kentucky Baptists pray for Webb in this transition? “Pray for the ability to step into the role and learn quickly,” Wright said, “especially the international portion. Also, pray for wisdom in making decisions that will
set the path of crisis response for the foreseeable future.” Wright continued to say he desires people pray that crisis response will be effective in providing physical and spiritual help in a time when people are hurting, and that under Webb’s leadership “God will be honored through the responses to crisis around the world.”
Webb, who has pastored churches in Tennessee, Kansas and Kentucky, said
he is excited to be part of this new collaboration between the IMB and NAMB through Send Relief. “I believe this is a tremendous opportunity to mobilize Southern Baptists in humanitarian
ministry across the globe in ways that will fulfill both the Great Commission
and the Great Commandment. I have been blessed to be able to learn valuable insights from the field strategists that we have served beside through our response partnership in Sub-Sahara Africa, and
to benefit from serving beside some of the most gifted disaster relief leaders in the world by being part of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Roundtable and Steering Committee.”
Webb has led in the development of highly-trained Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers. “I am thankful for the privilege of serving beside some of the most gifted and committed volunteers in the world who make up Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief,” he said. “Their sacrificial service to those affected
by disasters and their passionate commitment to Christ is an incredible testimony of the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ.”
A bevy of Kentucky Baptist leaders and Disaster Relief volunteers, along with IMB and NAMB spokespeople, echoed their praise of Webb’s work in Kentucky and voiced their support of him in this new role.
Coy Webb has spearheaded Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief efforts for more than 12 years. – Photo by Robin Cornetet