Following America’s deadliest tornado outbreak in almost seven years, residents of Middle Tennessee are surveying the destruction while reaching out to help their neighbors. Early Tuesday, at least two twisters estimated to be EF-3 strength or greater struck several counties and communities, including Donelson, Putnam County, and a 10-mile stretch of Nashville.
The Tennessee tornadoes hit quickly while most residents were asleep, likely contributing to the high death toll. So far, 24 casualties have been confirmed, including five children. More than 20 people are still missing.
Many schools and businesses in the area remain closed, and as of Wednesday morning, power was still out for about 40,000 people. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to help with search-and-rescue efforts.
Church Buildings Sustain Damage in Tennessee Tornadoes
Among the storm-affected buildings are several churches, including the historic Mt. Bethel Baptist in Buena Vista. High winds blew off the roof of the 135-year-old church, which has about 300 members. As longtime member Dawn Cornelius surveyed the devastation, she expressed shock. “I’ve never had that kind of emotional reaction before to seeing physical damage,” she says. “Every memory of my childhood is here.”
At St. John’s Lutheran in Nashville, the church’s sign was one of the few things left standing. In a Facebook post, the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA points out the sign is a reminder that the church “shares a message still with the world: God’s love is for you and for all.”
Nashville’s East End United Methodist Church also suffered significant damage. Rev. Judi Hoffman, who had to evacuate the parsonage due to a storm-caused gas leak, plans to hold worship at a nearby park on Sunday.
Phillip Dunn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Mount Juliet in Wilson County, says an elderly couple from his congregation are among the dead. “And we have other church family that are assessing their own property damage, that have lost a home,” he adds. “And then with our facility, a good portion has been touched and damaged. We’re kind of in the direct line.”
Dunn, who’s using Facebook to provide updates about recovery efforts, expresses gratitude for the outpouring of support. This is a time for the community to “rise up,” says the pastor, adding, “God is not only a master builder; he really is a master of rebuilding.”
Churches and Groups Provide Shelter, Relief
Throughout Middle Tennessee, churches are holding prayer vigils and opening their doors to tornado victims. Pastor Daryl Crouch of Green Hill Baptist Church in north Mount Juliet tells Baptist Press his congregation is working to assist neighbors as well as neighboring churches. “Because we have power,” he says, “we’ve opened our buildings” for people who need work space, electricity to recharge devices, and free coffee and snacks. On Facebook, Green Hill Baptist also notes that it has an outdoor playground “for those of you with littles who need to run off some energy.”
Thanks to an existing coalition of Wilson County “Gospel-oriented churches,” Crouch says, local pastors “already know each other” and can work together for “the welfare of our community.”
Pastor Mark Davis, missions director for the Stone Association of Southern Baptists in Cookeville, Tennessee, is proud that a wide range of churches is pitching in to help. Congregations have “come out of the woodwork and responded well,” he shares with Baptist Press. “In the face of tragedy, in the face of loss, we still find a way to come together as people and make sure that we’re identifying with the body of Christ. As many churches as we have, that are all different kinds and shapes and sizes, they all want to help each other. And that is just a blessing to see in our day and age.”
