ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) — Each year thousands of Southern Baptists don gold shirts and load into trucks, vans and semis to roll out in response to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and a host of other calamities, bringing tangible help and the hope of the gospel to people in times of crisis. “Serve Sunday,” this Sunday, August 11, reminds Southern Baptists that no matter their skill or experience level, there is a place for everyone to carry out the Great Commission through acts of service.

While Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) might be the best-known example of how Southern Baptists are meeting needs, thousands of churches have formed compassion ministries in their communities or send volunteers to serve in other settings across the continent or around the world.

“Send Relief is committed to serving others in Jesus’ name, and we are excited to see churches join us in engaging communities with the hope of the gospel,” said Joshua Benton, vice president of North American Ministry for Send Relief.

Send Relief, the compassion ministry collaboration between the International Mission Board (IMB) and North American Mission Board (NAMB), provides serving opportunities for churches that are just beginning their compassion ministry journey or those that are looking to increase their level of involvement and commitment.

Serve Tour — Serve Tour allows volunteers to participate in a short-term mission opportunity, serving a community and sharing Christ in the process. Serve Tour leverages partnerships between local churches, Baptist associations, state Baptist conventions and Send Relief to bring needed resources and manpower.

Serve Tour volunteers left a lasting impression after serving a school in Dallas earlier this year.

“I have worked with many volunteer groups over the past seven years,” the school’s principal said. The volunteers over the past “two days have been the best of the best I have ever worked with.”

First-time volunteers can easily serve next to seasoned veterans during a Serve Tour because the weekend is planned out by organizers, and no special skills are required. Serve Tour events are designed to be easily replicated so churches can conduct similar events in their own communities.

Send Relief Ministry Centers — With ministry centers and affiliate ministry centers throughout North America, Send Relief is working through local churches to address physical needs and share Christ every day in places of great need.

A church can send a mission team to serve alongside ministry center team members as they meet needs and share the gospel with the surrounding community. Ministry centers provide a great way to get hands-on missions experience and see firsthand how an individual church might start a similar ministry in their own community.

Church Guide to Ministry — Even churches that have been participating in compassion ministry for some time can learn how to take their efforts to the next level by engaging with Send Relief’s Church Guide to Ministry curriculum. These video-driven courses are taught by compassion ministry experts, with practical steps for how to launch ministries that will meet needs in their own community and give the church an opportunity to share the gospel in the process.

SBDR — Southern Baptists help thousands of people each year through Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts. To learn more or to become a volunteer, contact your state Baptist convention.

For these opportunities and many others, visit SendRelief.org.