Well as 2023 comes to a close, I thought it only fitting to share with our supporters all of what God has done in the 2nd half of the year. After what was an eventful 1st half with deployments to both McCracken County, KY and McNairy County, TN, OBS transitioned from tornado relief efforts to training.
In late August, OBS hosted our first annual disaster relief training seminar. There were several churches represented during the 4-hour block of instruction that included a Christ-centered devotional, disaster zone safety discussion, a chainsaw lecture with hands-on application, as well a medical block focusing on treatment for common injuries sustained in disaster areas. Our organization received a lot of positive feedback from the training as well as bolstered our volunteer pool for future deployments. OBS would like to thank Madison Creek Baptist Church for allowing us the opportunity to hold the seminar at their facility.
Following our disaster relief training seminar in August, OBS was approached by Indian Lake Peninsula Church in Hendersonville, TN to conduct a citizen’s response to an active aggressor/shooter for their teachers, tutors, and childcare workers. So in late October, OBS conducted a 4-hour block of training that included a lecture on effective techniques used to survive an active aggressor/shooter event, as well as a medical block that focused on life saving medical interventions for children and teachers. Thanks to our financial partners and donors, OBS was able to outfit 28 tutors/teachers/childcare workers with lifesaving tourniquets and other medical supplies vital for treatment of gunshot wounds etc. OBS also conducted a walk-through of ILPC and provided their staff with site security assessment. OBS was honored to serve ILPC in this capacity and looks forward to serving other churches and Christian organizations in the future.
As we approached Christmas, the thought of severe weather, at least in the form of tornadoes, was the last thing on people’s mind. But on Saturday, December 9th several devastating tornadoes touched down in the Middle Tennessee area impacting thousands. Always in a state of readiness, OBS deployed immediately and began to serve in the Madison area by way of chainsaw work and debris removal. OBS was able to serve multiple families over the course of several days as well as pray with those impacted. We had our largest volunteer turnout during this deployment with 11 volunteers. Each of them displayed a heart for service as well as a work-ethic consistent with the OBS mindset. Because of this we handed out several OBS mission patches to our new team members. Thank you to all who served!
As the curtain falls on 2023, we look forward to what God has in store for OBS in 2024. Over the course of the last several months, OBS has been monitoring the current conflict in Israel and has been praying for an opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ there as well as those impacted by the war. Well in the last few weeks God has opened an opportunity for OBS to serve several Christian ministries and organizations on the ground there in Israel. So in January of 2024, OBS will be sending our team over in a humanitarian aid role, where we will serve in various capacities. We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to sharing with you all what God does as we transition from a local/regional organization to a global one.
As always, none of this would be possible without your prayers and support. Thank you for believing in this mission, as well as our shared passion for proclaiming Christ. A special thanks to our church partners Launchpoint Church and Madison Creek Baptist Church as well as all our financial partners and donors. Your obedience to the Lord is vital to the continued success of this ministry. Until next year… make our mission your mission.
Sincerely,
Corey Mullins
Founder/President
Olive Branch Strategic
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