As we look ahead, NC Conference Disaster Ministries is realigning its operations in November, following the peak of hurricane season, to enhance long-term sustainability and our commitment to readiness, recovery, and strong connectional partnerships.
Our chapter of ministry in Columbus County will conclude on October 31, 2025, after one year of helping our neighbors get back in their homes.
Beginning November 1, Disaster Ministries staff roles will transition as we adjust our structure to build a resilient, relational, and responsive disaster ministry model. We are grateful for the dedication of our team and the many volunteers who have served alongside them.
Before our Columbus County Center closes, we are hosting a Faith in Action event to assist as many families as possible in moving back home. More details and registration will be available soon. We hope you will join us to bring hope to these families!
We remain committed to being a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster and hope to continue to respond through scalable, volunteer-supported systems across the Conference.
We’ve included an FAQ below to help answer questions about this transition. If you have additional questions or want to learn more about how you can continue to be involved in disaster relief efforts, please contact disaster@nccumc.org.
Thank you again for your partnership in ministry. We look forward to continuing this important work with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will center closings affect open requests for assistance?
NC Conference Disaster Ministries will try to refer any remaining cases to other organizations that may be able to provide assistance.
When is the deadline to schedule volunteers?
Teams are welcome to serve in Columbus County through October 31, 2025. Join us for our Faith in Action event to assist as many families as possible in returning home! More details will be available soon.
How and when will the center close?
Our recovery center will officially close on October 31, 2025. At that time, equipment and technology will be returned to the Conference Office for future use. We are grateful to all of the teams and staff who made this ministry possible.
What happens to staff roles after the center closes?
In November, staff roles will shift to focus on training, volunteer mobilization, and equipment management within a scalable, volunteer-supported model. Staffing and operations will be reevaluated in the event of a major disaster in the NC Conference.
What will happen to the Marion Edwards Recovery Center Initiative (MERCI)?
MERCI will continue to serve as a vital hub for outreach and disaster response efforts. Its work will shift towards scalable, volunteer-supported systems to ensure we’re ready to respond when disaster strikes.
How will this impact flood response efforts in Central North Carolina?
Response efforts are still ongoing following Tropical Storm Chantal. If you are interested in supporting relief efforts, contact us at disaster@nccumc.org to schedule a team or give to the NC Storm Fund.
How will we respond in the event of another disaster?
NC Conference Disaster Ministries remains committed to being a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster. We are focusing on readiness and strong connectional partnerships while adapting our work to scalable, volunteer-supported systems.
We encourage churches to continue engaging with preparation initiatives, such as Connecting Neighbors and Early Response Team training, and building local church disaster plans.
MERCI will continue to serve as a vital hub for outreach and response efforts. In the event of a major disaster in the NC Conference, staffing and operations will be reevaluated.