Since 2009, Austin Disaster Relief Network has brought emotional, physical, and spiritual relief to more than 350,000 survivors, provided long-term support to 3,600 families, and given over $21.5 million in disaster relief funds.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision:
To see the Church bring hope into crisis through the transforming power of Jesus Christ to every life and community that we serve.
Mission:
To glorify Christ by equipping, empowering, and mobilizing the Church of Greater Austin to shepherd those affected by disaster and meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
To see the Church bring hope into crisis through the transforming power of Jesus Christ to every life and community that we serve.
Mission:
To glorify Christ by equipping, empowering, and mobilizing the Church of Greater Austin to shepherd those affected by disaster and meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Mobilizing the Body of Christ in Times of Disaster
Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is comprised of over 200 Greater Austin churches and thousands of trained volunteers bringing hope into crisis. ADRN’s network enables and empowers church members to organize, prepare, mobilize, and respond quickly in the event of disaster, great or small. Business partners, local agencies, and community support play a vital role in ADRN’s mission. It is through the generosity of their in-kind donations, monetary gifts, and volunteer assistance that ADRN can fund the rebuild/repair of survivor homes and provide immediate assistance to those in crisis.
Core Values
We are Christian. We believe all honor, glory, and power belong to God alone, and we endeavor to walk in love and humility. We believe all things were created through Him, and by His will, we exist and were created. We believe honoring God requires us to make Him our highest priority, and disaster response comes second. We conduct ourselves with integrity and trustworthiness and seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. (Revelation 4:11, Matthew 22:37-39, Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-5)
We Trust in God’s Word and His Promises. We trust and follow God’s Word as our plumbline in life. We have God’s promise through Scripture that we can rejoice even in our sufferings because we know He will accomplish His good purposes through them. (Psalm 119:105, 1 Peter 4:1-2, Matthew 5:11-12, Romans 8:28-29)
We Pray. We know that God’s presence working through us is vital to all we do, and we depend on the Holy Spirit to speak to us, guide us, and give us wisdom in every circumstance. As we continually seek His face, we trust Him to shine through us and that we will lack no good thing. God’s Word teaches us how to pray and assures us that He will respond in power when we pray according to His will. (John 16:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 2 Chronicles 26:5, Psalm 34:5, Philippians 4:4-7, James 5:16)
We Unite as the Body of Christ. We believe we can best respond to disasters when we work together. We unite as a network of churches that show love for one another, share a common Statement of Faith, and glorify God’s Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We value God’s unique gifts to each one for the common good. In this, we present a powerful witness of God’s presence to the world and know that He is pleased to bless the work of His unified Church. (John 17:21, Psalm 133)
We Love People. We value each person we meet because Christ died for them. Like Him, we’re willing to lay down our lives for the sake of those we serve, honoring each one as a person made in the image of God and therefore worthy of love, compassion, and dignity. (Luke 10:25-37, John 15:13, Matthew 9:36-38, Matthew 22:37-40)
We Expect God to Transform Lives. We believe He desires the complete healing of disaster survivors, staff, and volunteers through physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance. We invite all into a transformational and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
We are Ready. We are ready to give an answer to everyone about the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect. We demonstrate this hope by serving those who suffer in the aftermath of disasters to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This readiness requires us to train and prepare for these opportunities to love others in crisis. (1 Peter 3:15, James 1:23-27)
Statement of Faith
We strive to honor God in every area of our ministry. By building a foundation on biblical truths, we hold ourselves accountable to the word of God. ADRN believes:
The Bible is the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
There is one God, creator of Heaven and Earth, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:4-6.
In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment. I Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15.
In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the Church. I Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23.
We must dedicate ourselves to a life of prayer, to the service of our Lord, to His authority over our lives, and to the ministry of evangelism and discipleship. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Matthew 9:35-38; 22:37-39, and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15 and 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 3:15.
In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth conceived by the Holy Spirit, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death by crucifixion through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15.
God’s plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman as unique biological persons made to complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between one genetic male and one genetic female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. ADRN strongly opposes victimization or violence against any sector of society that disagrees with the biblical view. We honor the dignity and rights of all who differ from us on the matter of human sexuality. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9.
All people everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7.
In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life. John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10.
Human life is sacred from conception to its natural end. We will not withhold disaster support in the form of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, regardless of citizenship, race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation. Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10.
ADRN Leadership
Meet the men and women who have answered the call to lead Austin Disaster Relief Network in glorifying Christ through the mission of disaster relief. These highly-skilled individuals work tirelessly to keep the organization on track and moving forward to bring hope into crisis.
Executive and Senior Leaders
Dr. Dwight Bailey Jr.
Executive Director
The Rev. Dr. Dwight Bailey, Jr. is the Executive Director of Austin Disaster Relief Network, and first joined the ADRN team as a consultant in 2021. He is an ordained minister and pastor, serving in vocational ministry for over 29 years and currently serves as one of the pastors and board members at New Life Church in Georgetown, TX.
Dwight holds a Ph.D. in Business Management with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Change, and provides business consulting services through his company DBJDevelopments, LLC. He and his wife Jeanine are the proud parents of two sons, Dwight III and William. They love partnering in the Austin Metroplex for the advancement of the gospel.
Stephen Brewer
Associate Director
Stephen Brewer
Associate Director
As Associate Director of the Austin Disaster Relief Network, Stephen manages the ADRN command center in times of disaster and coordinates ongoing response efforts. He works closely with the more than 170 churches in the ADRN network, building and maintaining relationships with pastors, liaisons, and church volunteers.
Stephen joined ADRN professionally in 2011, after serving as a certified financial planner. He first participated in disaster relief as a volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse after Hurricane Ike in 2008. He finds the most reward in seeing the impact of ADRN’s work on both survivors and volunteers, and he has personally sponsored families affected by disasters during his tenure.
A graduate of the University of Texas, Stephen lives in a group “discipleship house” in East Austin, where he enjoys serving as a positive role model to the men in the house as well as youth from the neighborhood. He enjoys travel and outdoor activities, such as camping, biking and running. Stephen also serves on the prayer team at the Austin Stone Community Church.
Jennifer Gregory
Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer Gregory
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer of the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), Jennifer is an accomplished leader driven by a blend of business acumen and a profound commitment to community service. Her journey began in her family's business, Texas Disposal Systems, where she gained multifaceted leadership experience, fostering a deep understanding of operations, problem-solving, and resource management.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has excelled in initiating and revamping departments, driving organizational evolution through her keen eye for identifying inefficiencies and streamlining processes. Transitioning from a volunteer at ADRN to Senior Director of Network Development, she supervised vital departments before her exceptional performance and operational gifts propelled her to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she leads ADRN's mission to provide critical support and relief to disaster-affected communities, demonstrating dynamic leadership and an unwavering dedication to service.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jennifer's proudest accomplishment and greatest joy lie in her two sons, both attending Texas A&M University. Her commitment to family parallels her dedication to service, which extends beyond her professional role. Actively engaging in initiatives aimed at making a positive impact, Jennifer embodies compassion and empathy in all her endeavors.
Michael Gish
Chief Financial Officer
Michael is an experienced entrepreneur and management consultant with extensive experience driving financial and operational improvements for companies from $1mm to $400mm in annual sales through all phases of the corporate life cycle. He has broad industry experience — including manufacturing, industrial, service, technology, and retail industries. Additionally, he has in-depth expertise in valuation and forensic accounting.
“I have a passion for helping organizations achieve measured success through improvements to cash flow and operational efficiencies.”
Prior to his role at ADRN, Michael held financial leadership positions at multiple companies, including Texas Financial Forensics and Deloitte. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.
Michael lives with his wife, Trina, and their 4 amazing children, and his hobbies include hunting, smoking meats, and all things related to coffee.
Samantha Cowen
Director of Human Resources
Since earning her Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Concordia University Texas and a BS in Sociology from the University of Oregon, Samantha has remained committed to staying at the forefront of HR trends and best practices. She is SHRM-CP certified, and she brings a wealth of expertise in talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational strategy.
Originally from Oregon, Samantha now resides in Hutto, TX, with her husband, Martin, and their two children, Isaiah and LillyAnn. She loves to read, watch football (Go Ducks!), and run 5k marathons with her family.
Alistair Perumal
Senior Director - Advancement
As Senior Director of Advancement, Alistair enjoys creating opportunities for others to share in the fruit of ADRN’s ministry. His motivation to invite others to partner with ADRN is fueled by his deep passion for sharing the Kingdom of God through serving others.
His heart has always been directed towards helping those in need, and he has been involved in working with charities throughout his adult life. He is especially passionate about helping nonprofit organizations to meet and exceed their fundraising and donor relationship management goals and achieve helping nonprofits as he leads the talented, equally passionate Donor Development Team at ADRN.
Alistair has decades of experience working in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Head of IT with Metro World Child Foundation, as well as in sales, marketing, and IT roles for 15 years prior to that in the corporate sector.
When he is not working, Alistair enjoys cooking and working out. He and his lovely wife live in Houston, Texas, where they moved to escape the snow and cold in New York City. Although a native-born South African, Alistair believes Texas to truly be “God’s Country.”
Charlie Lujan
Hope Prayer Ministries Director
As the National Prayer Leader for the Hope Prayer Center, Charlie is responsible for equipping and empowering national prayer teams and worship movements. He spent eight years in the Marine Corps, traveling to every continent and climbing the world's largest mountains, including Mt. Fuji and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
For 30 years, Charlie has served in ministry in the Austin area and worked to train and build prayer teams worldwide. He's the founder and leader of the Nazarite Kingdom Alliance, served as the Prayer Pastor and filled other pastoral duties for 17 years at Austin Powerhouse Church, and as a Chaplain for The University of Texas Police Department. His heart and life mission is to help call forth and grow powerful prayer in the lives of those the Lord entrusts to him that believers today may experience and operate in signs, wonders, and miracles for the glory of God.
- Email:charlie.lujan@adrntx.org
Department Leaders
Lisa Antonishek
Survivor Care Program Manager
Originally from Michigan, Lisa completed a psychology/counseling undergraduate degree at Rochester College as well as a community and school counseling masters at Spring Arbor University. After graduation, she worked as a school/community counselor in Michigan from 2008-2015. In 2014, she completed a graduate certificate in Spiritual Formation from Moody Theological Seminary. She felt called and prepared, and was sent by her church/missionary agency to serve as a mission in Spain in October of 2015. She was blessed to have taught middle school Bible (and other courses including elementary PE for a year!), counseled students and others, and held various leadership and leadership development positions. God also opened the door for her to serve in care and support, prayer, and women's ministry at her churches in Michigan and Spain.
As the Shepherd Program Manager, Lisa's past experience and passion for others to know and grow in Christ helps her team and the church shepherds to work together to provide emotional, spiritual, and physical care to the survivors of natural disaster. Lisa will tell you that it is not an easy job, but God has prepared her well and she is humbled to be able to work with such an amazing team of people at ADRN to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness.
Kelly Clawson
Training Director
As the Training Director for the Austin Disaster Relief Network, Kelly oversees all in-person and on-demand training courses. Kelly strives to ensure all current and future training is effective in equipping churches and volunteers with the skills needed to respond physically, emotionally, and spiritually in times of crisis.
Kelly has a background in education and previously taught in both Austin ISD and Round Rock ISD. She has experience in developing curricula and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of program services. Kelly received her master’s in social work where much of her research was centered around adult learning theory and ensuring content is delivered in ways that are relevant, engaging, and significant to the audience. Kelly is passionate about building relationships and providing multi-layered support so individuals have what they need to thrive in all that the Lord is calling them to do.
Kelly lives in Round Rock, TX with her husband, Garrett. They are partners of the Austin Stone Community Church where they lead a small group as well as serve in the KIDS ministry.
Board of Directors
Steve Leach
President, Acacia Strategic Advisors
Steve most recently served as the Chief Development and Strategy Officer of Goodwill Central Texas. He developed the organization's key strategies and initiatives and led new business and philanthropic development. As the Chief Operating Officer of Victory Energy Tech, Steve directed the company's operational strategies and activities, including Victory's wholly-owned subsidiary, Pro-Tech Hardbanding Services. As the Chief Executive Officer of the WaterStone Foundation, he assisted generous donors in developing and executing tax-efficient giving strategies. During his tenure, WaterStone witnessed unprecedented growth with over $300M in contributions received and $200M of distributions to over 3,000 non-profits globally. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer of NovaCentrix, a venture-backed nano-materials products company. Steve also held various executive, engineering, and product marketing roles at Vida Capital, Dell Computer, IBM, and Compaq Computer.
His service to the community can be measured by the lives he has touched through his philanthropic endeavors and his board and advisory board service to Explore Austin, Austin Bridge Builder Alliance, WaterStone, Young Life, and more. Steve has also served on for-profit company boards, including Integrity Capital Income Fund, NovaCentrix, and Energetic Materials and Products, Inc. Steve earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and resides in Austin, Texas. He and his wife, Mollie, have six treasured children living in Austin, Houston, and Dublin, Ireland.- Phone:+1 (859) 254-6589
- Email:info@example.com
Bill Neusch
Founder & President, Gibraltar U.S.
Bill Neusch has been married to Agnes for 43 years and they have 6 children and 9 grandchildren together. Bill has served on boards of multiple ministries and nonprofits, as well as served as an elder to various churches in the Austin area. Bill has a passion to reach the unreached with the Good News of salvation and currently supports missions around the world as well as within his own city.
Bill is a serial entrepreneur who currently owns and runs three businesses in the Gibraltar Family of Companies, plus three addition businesses and a family Foundation. He has over 35 years of security fence experience, has over 35 design patents and multiple patents pending. Bill designed and developed the Gibraltar Cable Barrier System as well as Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection barrier products that are approved by the Department Of Defense (DOD) and Department Of State (DOS). Additionally, Gibraltar has done over 150 miles of pedestrian/vehicle barrier projects along the US–Mexico border in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs Border Patrol (CBP).
- Phone:+1 (859) 254-6589
- Email:info@example.com
Donor Development Team
Deborah Shurtz
Major Gift Officer
As Major Gifts Officer, Deborah directs ADRN’s major gifts’ program, cultivating relationships and creating events that invite people to partner with us to bring hope and help to disaster survivors when they need it the most. Deborah earned a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University and worked as a tax and audit CPA before transitioning into church and nonprofit roles, serving as a Recovery Pastor, Program Director, and most recently as a Sector Leader for ADRN.
Her two adult children, Ellie and Chase bring delight to her life, as well as her two pups, Bear and Tex William. Deborah plays the piano and guitar, loves to read and learn, has jumped out of an airplane, and is a Taekwondo blackbelt.