Learn more about Lighthouse Churches in the WNCC

Disaster Ministries

            Readying | Resourcing | Responding

Our mission is to alleviate human suffering and advance hope through humanitarian relief, sustainable development, and global missions. 

We invite you to stand with our neighbors who have been affected by a natural disaster. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those affected by natural disasters for years to come. Your donations will assist Western North Carolina teams and relief aiding in all of the affected regions and beyond. (All contributions are tax deductible.)

 ​

Volunteer Teams in Canton

Volunteer rebuilding teams are needed in the relief efforts responding to the August 17th Flooding in Haywood County, specifically Canton and Cruso. If you are a team leader of a rebuilding team, please use the attached form to reserve dates. If you have questions about the form or about volunteering in Canton, reach out to the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Brian Mateer 

If you would like to donate to the relief effort, you may do so HERE.

Current News (Including COVID-19 Updates)

To view the most recent news on COVID-19 and other notes of news, click here. 

Disaster Response Hotline 

To report disaster response needs in our conference, please call (980) 354-4157. ​

Navigating a Disaster 

Hand Sanitizer Available

1L Bottles of hand sanitizer are available for pickup at the ConferenceMission Response Center in Terrell, NC. They can be picked up on Tuesdays from 10-3. Contact Ben Rogers to schedule pickup or if you have any other questions.

If you have questions or needs, email Ben Rogers at brogers@wnccumc.org

Disaster Response Training

2022 ERT Training and ReCerts courses will be posted soon.

ERT Deployment Protocols ​

PLEASE DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY. Volunteers (ERTs or otherwise) should never respond or deploy without the proper invitation from the host conference. We encourage all volunteers to find deployment opportunities from the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. 

Regional Relief Supply Drop-Offs

Relief supplies collected by individuals and churches should please remain in your facilities. If you believe you have supplies that are essential for our work, you may email our Disaster Response Coordinator, Ben Rogers. 

Flood Buckets/Cleaning Kits: Click here for a list of supplies and instructions on how to assemble a kit. Please contact Ben Rogers to arrange for delivery of cleaning kits (828-478-1019).

Early Response Teams

Do you have an ERT-led work team that is ready to serve? If so, you are encouraged to deploy as invited. For specifics, see our Disaster Response page.

About COR

Disaster occurs in all shapes and sizes. The United States has a drug overdose epidemic, especially in rural Appalachia. Human sex trafficking is slavery that occurs right here in North Carolina. Children are in need of school supplies everywhere and medical and dental relief is a vital ministry. The Committee on Relief (COR) mission is to alleviate human suffering and advance hope through humanitarian relief, sustainable development, and global missions. 

The Committee on Relief is the humanitarian relief and development arm of the Western North Carolina Conference.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is our partner, providing expert guidance and training related to disaster planning, preparation, response and recovery. United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) are also our partners providing training and guidance in volunteer management as well as trained volunteer teams - from both inside and outside the conference.

Contact Us

  • Brian Mateer, Director of Missional Engagement & Disaster Response Coordinator
    • BMateer@wnccumc.org
    • 704-714-2340
  • Ben Rogers, Mission Response Associate & ERT Training Coordinator 
    • BRogers@wnccumc.org
    • 828-478-1019