SAN ANTONIO — The unprecedented effects of Hurricane Helene are still being felt throughout western North Carolina, but that has only made disaster relief volunteers more dedicated to their calling to meet human needs in Jesus’ name.

That dedication was recognized in January when N.C. Baptists on Mission volunteers Terry Hall and Mark Hinson were each awarded the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) Distinguished Service Award at the SBDR Roundtable that took place in San Antonio, Texas.

Tom Beam, disaster relief coordinator for Baptists on Mission, presented the awards to Hall and Hinson at a banquet on Jan. 28. Beam said Baptists on Mission deployed volunteers for 300 of the 365 days in 2024, with Hall and Hinson working countless hours throughout the year to coordinate volunteers and oversee operations.

“Their years of service have given them wisdom and the ability to lead others in the midst of a calamity,” Beam said.

Hall, 68, has been involved with Baptists on Mission since 1990. That’s when he and his wife attended a training after hearing about the opportunity through their church, First Baptist Church of New Bern, where they still attend. Since then, Hall has dedicated his life to disaster relief work, saying he has been on “too many deployments to count.” Hall now serves in the full-time volunteer role of state disaster relief coordinator.

“It’s an honor that I wasn’t expecting,” Hall said of the award. “We don’t do it for recognition. If somebody else’s name had been called, it wouldn’t change the way that my wife and I try to do God’s work.”

This is Hall’s second term as state disaster relief coordinator, and he said he is looking forward to seeing the volunteer pool grow in the aftermath of Helene. When his time as coordinator concludes, Hall said he hopes to continue serving as a volunteer just as he has for the past 35 years. 

Hinson, 60, lives in Monroe and has served with Baptists on Mission since 2000. He has held several leadership roles while volunteering nearly non-stop for 25 years. Hinson has served as a regional recovery coordinator and now serves as the state disaster recovery coordinator, a full-time volunteer role he began in 2023.

“I fully believe that God called me to do this in 2000,” Hinson said. “I’ve never thought about walking away, but I don’t believe I could if I wanted to because I have His calling in me to do it.”

Hinson, who attends Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Monroe, said he enjoys being part of the community of disaster relief volunteers, which he refers to as “family.” 

“It’s a blessing to serve with such good people like Terry and others,” Hinson said. “We’re here because of the same reason. We’re all here to serve the Lord because He’s called us to do it.”  

Beam has known Hall and Hinson for 15 years and has witnessed their dedication firsthand as they have served and advanced through their various roles. Beam credits their ability to remain steadfast in their service to their deep faith.

“Their faith and their belief in a life with Jesus Christ is the only reason they would do what they do,” Beam said. “I’ve seen their faith in action. I’ve seen the way that they worship, I’ve seen the way that they respond to volunteers, and it’s only by the grace of God that they’re able to do what they do because of the amount of time that it takes as volunteers.”

Hall and Hinson’s awards not only reflect their personal commitment but also the broader work of disaster relief volunteers across the state. With a volunteer pool that has continued to grow in response to the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, the efforts of Hall, Hinson and their fellow volunteers are vital in helping communities continue to rebuild and recover.