After tornadoes ripped through the middle of Tennessee last week, destroying homes and claiming lives, communities are turning to God for strength to rebuild.
Members of Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville pitched a tent for Sunday service next to the ruins of their 135-year-old church. Pastor Jacques Boyd led the congregation in prayer and songs, and even contractors working on rebuilding the church paused to reflect.
“Through it all, God is good,” congregant Bobbie Harris, 79, told the Associated Press. She lost her rental home and job because of the destruction but still said, “He saved me.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, and his wife joined the service, which is being called “worship in the rubble.”
“There was a lot of hope here,” Lee said. “God uses people like this in this environment to bring hope to this community, and it was great to see.”
Lee added: “I asked God, ‘What do I say in moments like this?’ And God spoke clearly, as I am speaking to you now. You have to help while hurting.”
The Governor and First Lady wanted to worship in North Nashville today with Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, who worshipped in a tent in their parking lot after the tornado destroyed their 125 year old church this past week. pic.twitter.com/FRABmLKtvu
— Joseph Williams (@jjosephwilliams) March 9, 2020
A series of storms with at least six tornadoes destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed 24 people in what Lee described as “a tragic day in our state.”
“We must trust in the savior who does not deliver us from storms, but through storms,” Boyd said. “Now that the brick and mortar is gone, do you still love this community?”
The congregants raised their hands in approval.
Just over an hour from Nashville, 18 wooden crosses line the highway in Cookeville, marked with the initials of those killed by the storms.
Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton shared photos of the memorials and urged people to pray for their community.
“Beautiful tribute of remembrance built by Shawn Moser. These 18 crosses with the initials of our tornado victims are at the corner of Hwy 70 & Hawkins Crawford Rd,” Shelton wrote. “Please continue to pray for the families, emergency responders, volunteers and our community. God Bless!”
