MINERAL, Va.—Elk Creek Baptist Church in Mineral, Va., is like hundreds of rural churches scattered along the turn of the road in the Mid-Atlantic. Nestled in a wooded area near the waters of Lake Anna, this small congregation saw a need and responded, uniting its community into a network of support for a family facing a long road to recovery.
A holiday trip to Williamsburg, Va., changed the lives of Steve Comer, his wife Christina and children, Michelle and Christopher. Steve is music director at Elk Creek Baptist Church and plays the piano, organ and keyboard. On the first evening of a Memorial Day weekend trip in their recreational vehicle, Christina prepared dinner on the propane stove. Hours later, not realizing there was a leak in the fuel system, she returned to make popcorn. After striking the match the RV burst into flames.
After spending most of the summer in the hospital, the Comer family enjoys being back home. (Photo by the Central Virginian)
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Christina’s burns were the most severe as she took the brunt of the blast in her arms and face. Steve and the children were trapped in the rear of the vehicle. Several people pulled all four to safety before emergency personnel rushed them to the Medical College of Virginia’s Evans-Hayes Burn Center in Richmond.
The Comers faced weeks in the hospital for treatment of second and third degree burns that required surgeries, skin-grafting, daily wound care and pain management.
“Our church isn’t as large as some of our sister churches, but Elk Creek has a wonderful family with some of the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen,” says Woody Jenkins, pastor. Their first response when learning of the accident was a call for prayer. Their second was a call to action.
Jenkins explains that the Lake Anna area attracts vacationers and retired people who have summer homes there. Elk Creek holds services at the church October to April, but during the summer offers a casual worship service at the lake, attracting people who are members of other churches back home.
“We’ve got folks who tell us that they’re Presbyterian or Methodist in the winter, but from May through September, they’re Elk Creek Baptists,” he admits.
When the appeal for prayer and assistance for the Comers was made, church membership made no difference. “We had all of the churches in Goshen Baptist Association praying,” Jenkins reports. Members and organizations throughout the community pitched in. Many devoted hours to making modifications at the Comer home in preparation for their transition from the hospital. Temporary homes were found for pets and animals. Lawn care was provided.
Hospital visits were made each day to encourage and uplift Steve, Christina, Michelle and Christopher as they endured painful procedures and began to make their first steps to recovery. A fund was set up to help with medical expenses not covered by insurance. On June 4 Elk Creek’s annual Summer Kick-off Cookout and Gospel Music Fest held at the lake became a fundraising event for the family.
Since returning home the family has been the recipient of countless meals and transportation to MCV for follow-up appointments and ongoing physical and occupational therapy.
The Comers said they don’t know how they would have made it through the difficult and painful process without the support of their church. It could take up to five years before the family can enjoy outdoor activities such as working in the garden or on their small farm, or going camping again.
Steve is looking forward to returning to Elk Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 2, as the choir comes back from its summer hiatus. He has been practicing on his keyboard at home and anticipates playing for the congregation that walked beside his family during difficult days.
Barbara Francis ([email protected]) is on the staff of the Religious Herald.