Henry
DANDRIDGE — When Kathy Henry was first approached about being a disaster relief chaplain she was hesitant because she saw it as more of a pastoral role.
“I didn’t know if I was equipped to be a chaplain,” she said.
After prayer and counsel from her husband Brock (who also is a DR volunteer) and a trusted friend, she agreed to accept the role and was trained as a chaplain for Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief.
Chaplains do not have to be ordained ministers, said Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
“Our chaplains are there when people are hurting to listen to them, care for them, share with them, minister to their spiritual needs and to encourage them,” he said.
“Kathy enjoys listening, caring and sharing,” Jones affirmed.
Henry, a member of Talbott Baptist Church, agreed. “The main thing I do is listen. People love to tell their stories. It is a healing process,” she observed.
She noted that when someone loses everything they own and see it piled up in front of their house to be hauled away, it can be very emotional. “I let people know that it is okay to cry.”
Henry has responded to many disasters and Hurricane Helene was her seventh hurricane response.
Asked if Helene was different because it was in her own state, she said it did not have a greater impact on her.
“We hurt for everybody no matter what state that we’re in,” she said.
Henry has enjoyed the chaplain’s role. “I want people to know the Lord like I know the Lord,” she said. “I love Jesus. That’s what it’s all about.” B&R — Lonnie Wilkey
