Josh Baird is proud of the work he has helped coordinate through Disciples Volunteering. Baird has seen the impact that Disciples volunteers can make in rebuilding hope and possibility for people whose lives have been impacted by natural or man-made disasters.
Baird will assume the reins of the Office of Disciples Volunteering (ODV) on Jan. 1 after serving as the assistant to the director for the past year. He is thankful for his work in the ministry that builds on the efforts of his predecessors in helping Disciples spread God’s love to those in need.
"I believe that each of us has been called and gifted for serving," said Baird. "Congregations that actively engage in mission are inherently healthier because of their outward focus."
ODV has helped share the gift of volunteering in many ways by providing opportunities for Disciples of all ages to help in disaster recovery. Volunteer teams have worked in all parts of the United States, including Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Alaska. The ministry has rebuilt homes and churches following hurricanes, fires, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters, often working in partnership with Week of Compassion and Habitat for Humanity.
One of its most significant initiatives of recent years has been disaster recovery response in the Gulf Coast area, particularly following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Mission stations, often in Disciples churches, have served as a sort of "headquarters" for volunteers, and have helped ODV to join in ecumenical partnerships. Such partnerships have occurred naturally as volunteers from other denominations found themselves working side by side with Disciples volunteers, sometimes for weeks at a time, on rebuilding and clean up projects. Additionally, a ministry of long-term volunteers was established to enable people with the appropriate gifts and skills to assume more on-the-ground leadership.
"The traditional role of long-term volunteers may expand to include those with gifts for communications, for providing hospitality of food, or any other gift that is useful in the support of on-going mission work and development," said Baird. "Future long-term volunteer roles may include providing on-site construction supervision, coordinating local logistics, preparing food for 10 volunteers or for 50, hauling tools and equipment between mission locations, and publicizing the need for or sharing the stories of mission teams. Anyone interested in attending the annual long-term volunteering training event should contact Brenda Tyler at 888-346-2631."
"The most important work ahead of Disciples Volunteering lies in making new partnerships across the life of the Church to expand the ways that Disciples serve in mission," said Baird. "In its on-going role of engaging with congregations in mission, the path ahead for Disciples Volunteering will be discerned as we listen to congregations answer these questions themselves: What do you need to help deepen your participation in mission? And, how can Disciples Volunteering help?"
Baird earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster majoring in anthropology, and a master of divinity degree at Lexington Theological Seminary. He was ordained in June 2001 at First Christian Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He is married to the Rev. Laura Fitt-Baird, pastor of Grace Disciples of Christ Church in Covington, La.
"I celebrate the Rev. Baird’s decision, made after weeks of prayer and discernment, to move from the position of assistant to the director of Disciples Volunteering to the position of director," said Ron Degges, president of Disciples Home Missions, of which ODV is a ministry. "Josh understands the paradigm shift facing the church today and stands ready to help faithful Disciples maneuver into productive ways of being church in the 21st century."
Baird brings to his new position a love for Disciples Volunteering and an understanding of DHM’s role in transforming 1,000 existing congregations for vital ministry and mission, added Degges. "What better way to do this," he said, "than give congregations an opportunity to participate on a work trip? Joshua’s leadership will assist DHM in building upon the foundation of volunteer response established by former director Carl Zerweck, and his spouse, Robin," added Degges.
"Serving in mission is an essential element of faithful witness that must be at the core of Disciples’ identity at every level: individual, congregational, area/regional, and denominational," concluded Baird. "Disciples are already well-known for their extraordinary volunteer efforts and I look forward to serving with ODV to further this ministry."
By James Patterson
