May Newsletter Available

The May MNA Disaster Response TAG Region Newsletter is now posted online and has been emailed to our supporters. If you are not on our email list please sign up on the right column of this page. This month's email features articles on:

• Christ Community Cobb at MNA Warehouse
• Save the Date - Disaster Response Training
• Thanks to Smoky Mountain Presbyterian Church
• Budget Update

Newsletters are published at or around the first of each month. 

Consider Becoming a Financial Partner

Did you know that you can impact people far beyond your local community by becoming a financial partner with Mission to North America's Disaster Response ministry? For more than ten years, MNA Disaster Response has shared God's grace with those impacted by natural disasters.

In December 2015, I was called to serve within the bounds of four presbyteries in east Tennessee, north Georgia, and north Alabama. My role is to help churches and presbyteries prepare to respond to natural disasters at home across north America. I have elected to not accept a salary, but (as is the case with all MNA staff members) must raise funds to help support the ministry.

My overall fundraising goal this year is to raise $15,000 that will be used for program expenses. That means that I need to raise $1,250 per month of ongoing support. In addition, one-time contributions of any amount will help to provide start-up funds as I work on building monthly support.

My real goal is that the funds would come in and that I would be able to focus my energy on training, response and preparation rather than fundraising. 

Would you help me to reach this goal by making a monthly tax deductible contribution of $25, $50, $100 or more?

In order to raise this amount we need: 

• 10 individuals/families to donate $25 per month
• 10 individuals/families/churches to donate $50 per month
• 5 individuals/families/churches/presbyteries to donate $100 per month

Becoming a partner is easy. Simply click on the button below. Click here if you prefer to donate by check. 

Free Subscription to the PCA Magazine, byFaith

Did you know that the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has a magazine? Did you also know that you could subscribe for free on their website? They do accept donations, but subscriptions are available at no charge.


The byFaith website has an excellent archive of articles, so be sure to check it out also.

Home Heating Safety

As colder weather kicks in, please remember to exercise safe practices with space heaters, fireplaces, or wood stoves. FEMA recommends that you keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating sources.

TAG Region Bookmarks Available...But There's a Catch!

I don't know about you, but I love a good bookmark. I have several in my bible right now, from one that my mom tucked inside a birthday card many years ago to one that a children's Sunday school class made for me almost that long ago. My favorite is one that my youngest son gave to me on my birthday in 2008 when he was 12. It was clearly used at the time--a little rough around the edges--which to me indicated that he had given me something that he was using. This was not a gift from a store shelf, but a gift from the heart. And I am still enjoying his gift seven years later. You see, a good bookmark can come in handy and serve you for many years.

That is why we had bookmarks printed to distribute when we visit churches for training or to meet with church officers or missions committees asking the church to support this work. I wanted something that people would keep in their bible and use on a daily basis--something that would remind people of the ministry and my need for prayer.

Our bookmarks (shown here on the right) remind you of four actions you can take to support God's work through this ministry:

Pray - We ask that you pray that God would be glorified and that people would be drawn to Christ through this ministry. As always, I am happy for you to pray for me specifically and all the details that come with serving through a ministry. But then end goal is that people would come to Christ and that God would be glorified.

Serve - There are many ways in which  you can serve through this ministry. And there is something for everyone. You could:

• assemble flood buckets
• sponsor a fund raiser or special offering to raise funds for this ministry
• go on a relief trip
• help organize a training session at your church

If you don't know how you might serve, I encourage you to contact me and I'll be happy to share suggestions. I plan to include a list on the website soon, but don't hesitate to contact me. 

Prepare - A significant part of my job is training and coaching churches in starting a disaster response ministry. Consider hosting a workshop on one of the topics listed on our "Prepare" page. I am excited to get out into the region to meet those who are already doing or wish to start doing disaster response. I enjoy teaching and I love to teach about that which I am passionate. Everyone should have a disaster plan for their family, so allow me to share some simple steps you can take to establish such a plan.

Give - This ministry will operate through the financial support of those who value what we do. Please consider a one-time or regularly occurring gift to support this work. No gift is too small to impact the kingdom, as I will mention in another post in a few days. Please consider joining us as we undertake this work together.

So about the bookmarks...Here's the catch!

The preferred way to distribute these is in person when I visit your church to provide a training workshop or to talk to your church about the ministry. I would love an invitation to do just that. Family night supper, Wednesday Night Bible Study, Men's Breakfast, Women's Gathering, Vacation Bible School, Mission Conference, the list goes on...Just invite me!

But if none of this works but you want a bookmark anyway... Send me an email with your postal mailing address and I'll send you a few. No catch. No obligation. No salesman will call.

In all seriousness and above all, please pray that God would be glorified in this ministry and that people would come to know Christ as we share the story of His grace and mercy.

Last Minute 2015 Donations Information

This ministry depends upon the contributions of people who value this kingdom work. As a new ministry, funds are needed for every aspect of the work at this time.

It is not too late to contribute to this work and take advantage of tax deductions for 2015. In order to satisfy IRS requirements for a 2015 donation, all checks mailed to MNA Disaster Response must be dated no later than December 31, 2015 and postmarked no later than December 31. Checks should be written to MNA and designated in the memo line to Disaster Response - TAG Region and mailed to: 

Mission to North America

MNA Disaster Response - Mike Kennamer PO Box 890233 Charlotte NC 28289-0233

Online donations must be made by December 31 through the MNA Donation site.

Thank you for considering joining with us as partners in this work.