Kentucky Baptists Dedicate 'Chatterbox' Unit to Reconnect Disaster Survivors
The South Central Baptist Association's new communications unit brings solar charging, Starlink internet and phone service to places where the lines are down.
See where this is ›BOWLING GREEN, Ky. —
The South Central Baptist Association dedicated a new disaster relief communications unit called the Chatterbox on Thursday, Oct. 29, in Bowling Green, Ky., Kentucky Today reported. The unit is built to help people reach family and others when phones, text and email are down.
The Chatterbox carries solar power charging stations, Starlink internet, a cell phone signal booster and a Voice Over IP phone system. Rod Hutcheson, a member of the association's disaster relief team, said it can run up to eight hours a day even without sunlight for its solar panels. The team believes it is the first of its kind in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.
Planning began more than two years ago. Hutcheson said technology improved along the way. “With those enhancements, we believe the Lord has helped us build this vision,” he said.
The unit can go to parts of a disaster zone that Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is not currently serving, and it can arrive before relief workers move in. Ron Crow, disaster relief director for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said it will give people without phone or internet access a way to reconnect and will create chances for one-on-one talks. “I think it's going to open doors for gospel conversations,” Crow said.
Team member Tom Witthuhn said the unit also gives a job to volunteers who are not comfortable with chainsaws or roof work. “This gives people a broader opportunity to serve and share the good news,” he said.
Funding came from KY WMU, the Eliza Broadus State Mission Offering, the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club, the South Central Baptist Association, and local churches and individuals, according to Kentucky Today.
