MODERN-DAY NEHEMIAHS: GENE COLE

CHUCKEY — Gene Cole’s adult life has been defined by responding to disasters, and he plans to continue that mission for as long as he can.

Cole, a Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) volunteer from True Light Church in Jamestown, Tenn., is leading a team in a rebuild project in East Tennessee to help a family whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Helene’s high winds and flooding. Since early 2025, Cole has brought a team nearly every month.

“People need help,” he said. “It’s a chance to serve God. When you see people suffering, you’re willing to endure some discomfort. I think about what Christ endured for me on the cross, and the discomfort of an air mattress doesn’t compare.”

Disaster response is second nature for Cole. After serving in the Army, the Florida native worked as a Miami-Dade police officer for nearly six years before finding his passion in the fire department, where he served 26 years and retired as a chief fire officer.

“I loved the work,” Cole said. “Looking back, I wish I’d gotten involved in disaster relief sooner.”

Cole believes God led him and his wife to move to Jamestown after retirement. “I’m not totally sure why,” he said, gesturing to the house his team was rebuilding, “but it might be for this moment right here.”

He described the joy of helping others: “Seeing the appreciation in people’s hearts when we show up, the joy they show my team — we all talk about the great benefit we receive from serving. We fall in love with these people. I wanted to check on a lady we helped five or six months ago to see how she’s doing. You make connections and wish you could reconnect every time.”

Cole encourages others to join TBDR, urging those not currently involved in a ministry to “give DR a try.” He counters excuses by sharing the story of a blind woman who contributed by feeling for nails and removing them with a pry bar during a trip.

“Everybody can contribute something,” he said. “You just have to want to be involved, and we’ll find a way to include you.”

With the Helene recovery effort ongoing, Cole noted there’s “no shortage” of opportunities. TBDR reports that, even a year later, rebuilding and repairing homes is only 25% complete.

“This work doesn’t end in two weeks,” Cole said. “The magnitude of what’s left is unbelievable. Unless you’re here, you can’t understand. So much has been done, but there’s so much more to do. We need teams and people to dedicate themselves to this task.”

Editor’s Note: To participate in a rebuild project, contact TBDR Arise and Build coordinator Garry Maddox at [email protected]. B&R