Church on the Hill in Algood, Tennessee, is serving as an identification center, where family members are using photos to confirm victims’ identities. According to a Facebook post, one of the church’s families survived the tornado by huddling in a bathtub, but their home was “demolished” and a young child is now hospitalized with pneumonia. The church expresses gratitude to first responders, counselors, and congregants “for rushing to help even when we did not know how to ask for help.”
The Nashville headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee and LifeWay Christian Resources were spared, but the Nashville Baptist Association building lost its roof and sustained heavy wind and rain damage.
How You Can Help Tornado Victims
According to Nashville Mayor John Cooper, the website for Hands On Nashville crashed three times Tuesday because so many people wanted to volunteer. “We are resilient,” he says, “and we’re going to rebuild.” President Trump plans to visit hard-hit areas of the Volunteer State on Friday.
Samaritan’s Purse has deployed three tractor-trailers full of relief supplies and equipment to the area. Those units will be based at local churches, including The Donelson Fellowship, which is mobilizing volunteer teams and posting specific donation needs.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, tweeted Tuesday: “Pray for residents of Nashville and Middle Tennessee who were in the path of powerful tornadoes that struck early this morning leaving several people dead and significant damage. Pray especially for those who have lost loved ones.”
Throughout Middle Tennessee, disaster response teams are fanning out to assist victims. News outlets are providing lists of places and ways to give and receive help. Nashville’s Zeal Church, for example, is collecting water, gift cards to home-improvement stores, chainsaws and other tools, wheelbarrows, and roof-repair supplies. At Generation Changers Church in Donelson, Compassion International set up a relief center to provide water, food, and blankets. On Facebook, the church announced Wednesday: “We are also NOT having church tonight because we are BEING the church!”
Some churches, including Highland Heights United Methodist Church, are serving as American Red Cross shelters. To donate money to Red Cross relief efforts, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. Other funds for victims include the Nashville Tornado Response Fund and the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund.
