Tuscaloosa churches minister to families of explosion victims

Alabama Baptists and other church groups responded immediately following the Sept. 23 mine explosion near Tuscaloosa.
   
Jim Walter Resources (JWR) Blue Creek Mine No. 5 in Brookwood is the deepest mine in North America. The blast, believed to be the deadliest U.S. mining disaster since 1984, killed 13 and injured three.
   
“The families and workers could not have made it without the prayers and help of the area churches,” said mine president Gary Tramell.
   
For five days following the accident, families, workers and friends gathered at the United Mine Workers Association (UMWA) building to hear rescue updates. Gathered with them were members of area churches.
   
Cathy Quinn, a member of Big Hurricane Baptist Church, Brookwood, noted how area Christians came together during the tragedy. “Churches from our area and neighboring counties continually brought food and donations for the families,” she said.
   
“It was not a denominational effort, but a Christian effort to offer prayer, food and support,” said Rick Davis, pastor of Fleetwood Baptist Church, Peterson.
   
Along with food and prayer support, a counseling team was established.
   
Ron Howard, a member of Woodland Forrest Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, and associate director of pastoral care at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, led the team.
   
“It was incredible how the Christian community rallied around the families and employees,” Howard said. “Officials of JWR and the UMWA were all receptive of the Christian counselors.”
   
Welcoming the counseling team and other ministers, JWR spokesman Dennis Hall said, “I was impressed at the comfort that the religious community gave to the families and employees.”
   
While many came to the UMWA building to help, others prayed at the neighboring West Brookwood Church. Next door to the mine, the church is the only structure left of the original Brookwood coal town of the late 1800s.
   
Victor Hutchins, pastor of West Brookwood, said, “My brother, Marshall, is a mine rescuer, and he was leading the singing when he got the page about the accident.
   
“We immediately started praying,” Hutchins said. “The church was open during the day for the next week for family and visitors to come and pray. Some travelers had heard on the radio that the church was open, and they drove from the interstate to pray,” he noted. “This is one way that we tried to meet the needs of the community.”
   
Other showings of support included a memorial and candlelight service, a benefit for the families and a $1,000 donation for the victims’ families by Pleasant Grove Baptist Association.