Tina Christian has been named as the new part-time Gulf Coast coordinator for Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries. She will serve as an independent contractor committed to the ecumenical mission of CDS in the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast project of CDS is a partnership between the Church of the Brethren and the Disciples of Christ.
Christian will work with CDS associate director Kathy Fry-Miller on expanding the work of Children’s Disaster Services in the Gulf Coast states, including networking with faith-based, disaster response, and child-care contacts; setting up workshops; and developing new Rapid Response teams. She has experience in ecumenical work, volunteer management, training, and information technology support, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
She is a member of the Disciples of Christ and is serving as part-time associate pastor at Tropical Sands Christian Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., where she is active with a Family Promise program for those who are homeless. She also is working on a master of divinity degree.
Her start date is March 6, and her first week with CDS will include attending a Training of Trainer’s session in southern California, on March 8-10. CDS also has a workshop scheduled in Boynton Beach, Fla., on April 24-25. The staff is eager to get more Gulf Coast trainings on the summer and fall schedule, and invites contacts from those who would like to host or co-host a training.
Christian’s e-mail address will be CDSgulfcoast@gmail.com . For more about the work of Children’s Disaster Services go to www.brethren.org/cds .
— Kathleen Fry-Miller is associate director of Children’s Disaster Services.