National Response Team &
National Volunteer Team

Join the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on Vimeo.

National Response Team (NRT)

NRT members represent Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the field following natural disasters, human-caused disasters, and in developing migration accompaniment ministries. Team members working in partnership with presbyteries and synods assess the impact of disasters on churches and the larger community, assist in connecting presbyteries and synods and other partner organizations to recovery resources, and work to support and provide short- and long-term recovery. The NRT is similarly involved in helping presbyteries, synods, and congregations in assessing and developing ministries with refugees and migrant newcomers in their churches and community.

To be on the PDA National Response Team one must:

• Make an initial three-year commitment.
• Be a member of a Presbyterian Church, worship at a 1001 New Worshipping Community, or serve as Presbyterian clergy
• Have availability to attend the NRT Annual Meeting generally in April (4-5 days)
• Be able to be deployed (virtual and in-person opportunities) throughout the year to represent PDA and assist in disaster preparedness and recovery   
• Participate in ongoing training opportunities (virtually and in-person)
• Be receptive and eager to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion as it applies to the church and disaster ministry
• Desire to be part of a collaborative and responsive volunteer team

While all members of the team train together and are available to be early responders to natural disasters, some members of the National Response Team will choose to develop competencies in Emotional/Spiritual Care, Long-Term Recovery Organizing, Church Damage, Disaster Preparedness, Migration Accompaniment, Story Ministry, and Volunteer Work Team Hosting.  

All applicants should have excellent communications skills, demonstrated ability to work under stress and navigate conflict, experience in disaster response or migration related ministries, proficiency with technology (Google Sheets, utilizing a phone camera, Word, Excel, scanning documents, etc.), and organizational skills. While we seek out and welcome those with multiple language competences, proficiency in English is necessary to serve on the team.

National Volunteer Team (NVT)

PDA National Volunteer Team members represent PDA and the PC(USA) as they serve in disaster recovery. In addition these volunteers may also serve in middle governing body councils offering assistance to presbyteries and synods where requested.

National Volunteers go through the discernment process as other volunteers do, but they may have a more specific involvement. National Volunteers make themselves available for specific tasks during the relief and recovery period following a disaster. For those with difficulty giving extended time to response or who already have a heavy schedule, this provides an important way to be involved with PDA national response efforts.

The Discernment Process for All Applicants

Interested individuals are encouraged to complete the application process below before May 1, 2025. Once your application is received the following steps will be followed:

• Contact your local church pastor or presbytery staff to discern your call to this service.
• A pre-screening committee composed of national staff, National Response Team, and National Volunteer Team members will review the applications. Candidates will be invited to participate in Zoom interviews.
• Invitations will be extended to qualified individuals to attend a required discernment event (scheduled for the week of September 18-22, 2024 for 2024 applicants) where applicants will have the opportunity to learn more about the work of the respective teams, the requirements for service, and to particpate in a mutual discernment process concerning their suitability as an applicant for national service.
• Following the discernment event, the national staff will contact all individuals to discuss their call to service.
• Some applicants will be invited to attend HOPE Training/NRT Orientation (February 4-9, 2025 for 2024 applicants). More information to come. 

Apply to serve with PDA

We are now accepting applications online for our next incoming NRT cohort. If you have already applied with the word or pdf version, your application will be considered in our next application cycle.

If you would like to be considered for our next application cycle, please submit your application before May 1, 2025.

Applicants, click here to apply for the PDA National Response Team.

References, click here to provide feedback on an NRT applicant.

Application Requirements:

• Basic demographic information
• List of professional, ecumenical, and volunteer service.
• Narrative Questions
  • Why you want to serve the church as a volunteer in disaster response
  • Experience with disaster situations
  • How do your gifts, qualities, and skills fit the necessary skills for this volunteer position?
• 3 references (2 recommendations of choice and one pastoral reference – clergy may use presbytery leaders)

For more information on becoming part of the PDA Volunteer network, contact the national office at (800) 728-7228 ext 5806 or email nrt@pcusa.org.