Coy Webb, longtime director of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, has been selected to take the helm of Send Relief’s new crisis response arm.

In February, the International Mission Board (IMB) and North American Mission Board (NAMB) announced a partnership to provide compassion ministry around the globe under the banner of Send Relief.

Webb, 63, has led Kentucky Baptist disaster relief efforts for more than 12 years. He previously served as pastor at churches in Tennessee, Kansas and Kentucky.

IMB President Paul Chitwood said a long-term relationship with Webb helped him know Webb was right for the role.

“Having known Coy as a local church pastor and from working with him at the Kentucky Baptist Convention, I know well his love for the church, his passion for showing the love of Jesus to people who are hurting and his commitment to Southern Baptist cooperative missions,” Chitwood said.

“He is a man of outstanding reputation, never divisive, always bringing people together. In this strategic role with Send Relief, Coy will be able to strengthen our work with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and champion our state convention partners.”

KBC Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Gray said Webb’s heart for sharing the gospel has helped him bring the work to the next level.

“Coy led Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) to continue their excellent work of helping out in a time of need but also to prioritize evangelism in their work,” Gray said. “Under his leadership, DR has highlighted the work of personal evangelism, using DR chaplains and, as a result, has seen many people come to faith in Christ.”

Webb said he is looking forward to the challenges of the new role, which he will begin on Oct. 1.

“I am excited to be part of the team that is being organized in the new collaboration between the IMB and NAMB through Send Relief, and believe this is a tremendous opportunity to mobilize Southern Baptists in humanitarian ministry across the globe in ways that will fulfill both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment,” he said, adding that he believes God has been preparing him for the job.

“I have been blessed to be able to learn valuable insights from the field strategists that we have served beside through our response partnership in Sub-Sahara Africa, and to benefit from serving beside some of the most gifted disaster relief leaders in the world by being part of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Roundtable and Steering Committee.”

Webb has developed a highly trained team of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers during his tenure.

“I am thankful for the privilege of serving beside some of the most gifted and committed volunteers in the world who make up Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief,” he said. “Their sacrificial service to those affected by disasters and their passionate commitment to Christ is an incredible testimony of the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Brandon Porter writes for Kentucky Today, kentuckytoday.com, an online news resource of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.)