6 Florida United Methodist Review Online

Mims church plans
for next time

By Michael Wacht

MIMS -- Live coverage by CNN and major television networks of the wildfires that raged through Brevard County last July made Mims the center of national attention. For the most part, life there has returned to normal, but for Mims United Methodist Church, it's definitely not business as usual.

"We're taking steps to be trained for the next disaster," said the Rev. David Harris, pastor of the church. "I pray we never have to go through another one, but if we do, I hope the church is prepared to do the job of being the church."

The Mims church was chosen as the local disaster response headquarters during the wildfires because "it was a natural location," Harris said. The church is located across the street from the fire department and has computers and Internet access.

While the church served more than 9,000 meals to 700 disaster response personnel, it also learned about disaster response and what is needed during a crisis. United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel were on site to train the local congregation. "We worked cooperatively. We exchanged information and help," Harris said.

Harris says his church's disaster response coordinator position has taken on new importance, and he's working closely with the coordinator, Judy Davis, to develop a solid relief plan. Their goal is to coordinate an interfaith plan in cooperation with Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters (VOAD) and local emergency management efforts.

"The first step is to get our disaster response plan in place," he said. "We are working with the district to link up all the United Methodist churches to assess our ability to help."

The church has also applied for permits to build a 400-square-foot disaster relief food storage building on its property.

Harris said his church is dedicated to showing "real caring in the community." "We're here for the long haul," he said. "Whatever the needs are, we're trying to make sure nothing falls through the cracks."