By Rick Wolcott*

Jason Frazer of Gay Street United Methodist Church (Three Rivers District) has been hired as the first-ever disaster response liaison for the North Central Jurisdiction.

“This is a position in ministry that was calling to me,” Frazer said.

“The disaster response liaison will primarily relate to the conference disaster response coordinators and support North Central Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission with a communication, educational and leadership role in the disaster response ministry of this jurisdiction,” said UMVIM-NCJ Coordinator Lorna Jost.

“Jason comes with many skills and graces and the passion for disaster response ministries in the United States, along with much experience as an UMVIM team leader for Gay Street UMC and the East Ohio Conference.“

Frazer will continue to serve the church, but in a new way. He will be in charge of disaster response communication within the jurisdiction, and will work on proposed long term projects, and also with the Mission Discovery program for young adults.

“I have been serving in the disaster ministry for a while now, but a chance to work directly with this was very exciting,” he said. “I enjoy sharing in my church and district the opportunities for people to serve in this ministry and now I will be able to do this in the jurisdiction. I hope I can inspire others to serve.”

The position was created as a pilot program to see if each jurisdiction could benefit from having its own disaster response liaison. A grant from United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is funding the position for two years.

*Rick Wolcott is director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.