April 2026 | 9
DR Enters New Partnership with Ohio Military Reserve When disaster strikes, many organizations respond. Some are faith-based, non-government organizations, like Ohio Disaster Relief. Others are well-known govern- ment groups such as the National Guard and FEMA. By Dr. John Heading, Ohio Disaster Relief director
could see how we respond to feeding emergencies. Since the event, communications between the Ohio Mil- itary Reserve and Ohio Disaster Relief have continued. We have a plan in the works to hold a combined chap- lain training in Critical Incident Stress Management, and initial discussions have begun for a partnership between the Ohio National Guard and Ohio Disaster Relief. These new partnerships will give Ohio Disaster Relief volunteers access to areas of disaster response that we previously could only watch from the sidelines. Each new partnership gives an opportunity to represent Christ and reach out to people in crisis. Ohio DR Member Honored with Lifetime Service Award
In Ohio, it’s the Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR). You might not know who they are, but they respond to statewide disasters under the direction of the Governor of Ohio. The OHMR commander is Colonel Gary Lehman. At one time, he was an active Ohio Disaster Relief volunteer. His background in DR has given him a good understanding of what Ohio DR can do. Col. Gary Lehman and I met together, and a partnership was formed. Our first partnership event was in March during the OHMR annual training exercise in Columbus. Ohio DR members used our Quick Response Feeding Unit (QRU) to feed 180 volunteers during the three-day event. During the training, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited to inspect the exercise and learn about the capabilities of the participating organizations. I had the opportunity to share with the governor about what we were providing and showed him our Quick Response Feeding Unit so he Ohio DR Director Dr. John Heading discusses the role of DR during the Ohio Military Reserve training exercise with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Colonel Gary Lehman.
A member of Ohio Disaster Relief is the recipient of the 2026 Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) Lifetime Achievement Award. The Dixon Award is presented in recognition of a lifetime of service that helped shape the course of SBDR. Nominated individuals are considered pioneers who have made a significant impact on the ministry of SBDR, both inside and outside their state. Only two Dixon Lifetime Service Awards are presented each year. Dale Patterson from First Baptist Church, Wester- ville, is one of this year’s recipients of this honor. Dale has served in Ohio Disaster Relief since 1991 and has trained countless DR volunteers who serve on chainsaw teams. He has served above and beyond the call of duty, setting a faithful stan- dard for many to follow. Dixon Award Recipient Dale Patterson and Ohio DR Director Dr. John Heading.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine thanks the Ohio DR volunteers who cooked meals for the recent Ohio Military Reserve training exercise.
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