Alabama Baptists did not hesitate when the call came for assistance following the Dec. 16 killer tornadoes that ripped through Tuscaloosa, Etowah and Geneva counties.
Local churches opened their doors for shelter, state officials organized cleanup crews and individuals offered help ranging from free services to monetary donations.
Even some of the hardest hit areas provided assistance with Baptist churches serving as prime resource locations.
Eleven people died in Tuscaloosa County and one person died in Geneva County as a result of the tornadoes that hopscotched across parts of Alabama. Dozens were injured and more than 200 homes and businesses were destroyed in the 18-mile path of the F-4 tornado that went through Tuscaloosa County.
One of those who lost his home was Charles Foster, minister of music at Valley View Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa.
Mike Hall, pastor of Valley View, said the homes of eight church members were “total losses,” while approximately a dozen others had what he described as “moderate to severe damage.”
Even in the midst of losses to its ministerial staff and congregation, Valley View was ready to help others. Hall said the church is located a quarter- to half-mile from the area hardest hit by the tornado.
“As soon as we realized what had happened, we immediately made our facility available,” Hall said.
The pastor said electrical power was out in most of the area, but was still available at Valley View because of an auxiliary supply. Victims of the tornado were able to receive food at the church, according to Hall, as well as medical attention and counseling.
He said 50–70 nurses and EMTs, along with several physicians were at the church to help with nonlife-threatening medical needs. “There were some minor things that were done,” he said.
Hall said the church was also used as an area where families could check on the status of their loved ones.
“It was just a place to regroup from what happened, as well as receive medical attention,” he said.
Hall estimated 200–300 people were at the church for assistance “at any given time” until about midnight following the afternoon tornado.
The pastor said helping the community presented an opportunity for outreach.
“We believe God put us in this place for a purpose,” said Hall, who added Christians are charged with helping others. “This provided a very practical opportunity for us to do that.”
Skyland Boulevard Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, also responded to the devastation caused by the tornado.
Associate Pastor Jim Young said the church opened its doors for use as a shelter but was told several hours later by the Red Cross that the building was not needed.
Skyland was used by the Red Cross in the days following the tornado, however. Young said the organization had moved into the church’s gymnasium, which it was using in the coordination of relief efforts.
Jerry Wilkins, director of missions for Tuscaloosa Association, said the association’s Christian Ministry Center extended its hours to allow victims of the tornado access to food and clothing items.
Along with establishing a fund for victims of the tornado, Wilkins said the association planned to send out its disaster relief team to help victims with cleanup efforts.
In Etowah County, where several dozen homes were destroyed, churches also offered shelter to those left homeless.
Bob Thornton, director of missions for Etowah Association, said First Baptist Church, Hokes Bluff, offered its building as a shelter.
Macedonia Baptist Church, Coates Bend, although damaged by the tornado, also served as a temporary shelter, housing more than 50 people. Thornton said the victims were evacuated to Gadsden High School after the fire department determined damage to the church had left it structurally unsound (see story, this page).
Churches in Geneva County also worked in the days following the storm to assist victims in that area.
Dicky McAllister, director of missions for Geneva Association, said Maple Avenue Church, Geneva, offered its building as a shelter but was not needed.
Efforts to assist victims were also established at churches throughout Alabama. Members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, collected food and clothing items, along with a monetary fund for victims. Members of Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, also collected money for victims.
Tommy Puckett of the State Board of Missions said cleanup teams were scheduled for work in Tuscaloosa, Etowah and Geneva counties. Puckett said the feeding unit of the Tuscaloosa Association was scheduled to begin serving meals on Dec. 19. In addition, the Chilton County Association planned to send a team to Tuscaloosa on Dec. 19.
Thornton said the Marshall Baptist Association planned to begin serving meals at Macedonia Church on Dec. 19.
In another effort, the professional counseling staff and other services of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries were made available to tornado victims and their families.
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