ETHRIDGE, Tenn. (ABP) – Members of Liberty Hill Baptist Church are mourning the loss of their church building to a tornado but celebrating signs of new birth.
Just two days after a tornado ripped through Giles and Lawrence counties April 11, severely damaging the historic building, a woman who had been attending the church professed her faith in Jesus, said Pastor Kyle James.
“God is still in control,” the pastor said during an April 13 service, held in another church's sanctuary.
He noted members are saddened about the loss of their church, which is more than 100 years old. In addition, part of the building was historic, having served as the old Liberty Hill School.
For now Liberty Hill, which averages about 55-60 attendees each week, will meet in a former church facility provided by Victory Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg.
As of April 16, the church had not received official word from its insurance company as to whether the building is a complete loss, but James and others feel the damage is so extensive that the building will have to be torn down and rebuilt.
A structural engineer is to visit the church and would make the final determination, James said.
James told the congregation April 13 it is okay to be sad about the loss. Many of the members have been in the church their entire lives. But he also told them, “It is okay to be excited about what the Lord is going to do through this.”
Though the tornado's path was narrow, it caused extensive damage in the community. “A building can be replaced,” James said. “We praise the Lord there was no loss of life.”
James also expressed gratitude for Giles County Baptist Association, of which the church is a member, and churches in neighboring Lawrence County Baptist Association. He noted that within three hours after the tornado hit, about 70 volunteers were on site, clearing away trees and debris. Many more also worked all day April 12.
“There was a tremendous outpouring of love and compassion,” James observed.
In addition to the volunteer labor, James said the church has received donations and has been the beneficiary of numerous prayers. “Without them I don't know how we could have gotten through this. The prayers have been felt,” he said.
The pastor is not sure how long the building process will take. He said the church is insured for both structure and content, but he expects the congregation will utilize volunteers to help rebuild.
James, who is bivocational, is not discouraged. “I am more excited than ever. I want to be the pastor here more than at any other time that I've been here,” he affirmed.
“The Lord is already working here and it is exciting to know what the Lord will do through this.”
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