• On April 27, the town I call home, Phil Campbell, was struck by a severe tornado. What the relief teams brought to our town and gave to us, collectively and individually, is almost unbelievable. Yes, the work performed saved many homeowners thousands of dollars but the hope, strength and faith they shared means even more. If there is a bright side to all of this it has been the opportunity to be a witness to Christian love in action. Not the least of those contributions were made by the workers of the Alabama Baptist disaster relief and recovery teams. When we were too weak to stand their strength and faith helped us find ours. God bless you all! Thank you for all you have done and for all you do.
Susan Johnson
Phil Campbell, Ala.
• To the men, women and children of First Baptist Church, Prattville, I would first like to extend my deepest and heart-felt thanks to those giving souls that took time out of their day May 14–15. My home was hit by the tornado that ripped through our community April 15. Just a little over a week later, my daughter, who attends the University of Alabama, was involved with the one that hit Tuscaloosa on April 27. Having gone through this type of experience for the first time, it has been quite a chapter in our lives. There are so many other people who have gone through so much worse than we have and we hope to return as much as possible to those in need.
I consider ourselves so lucky to be living in such a noble and giving community. Thanks to the youth group who came out May 14 and helped with the glass removal from our yard. “I don’t hear the crunch anymore!” Thanks to the Sunday School class that came May 15 to help fell the dangerous leaning trees that had been blown down. Also, a very special thanks to Eric Hyde. Thank you for your kindness and commitment and making this all happen through your organization.
Chris, Margaret and Kasey Tackett
Prattville, Ala.
• Concord Highland Baptist Church, Hueytown, meets at River Road Baptist Church, Hueytown, for Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services after Concord Highland was severely damaged in the April 27 tornadoes. Concord Highland Pastor Richard Larson and church leaders hope to begin construction on a new building in four months or less, depending on insurance processes, Larson said. For now, the attendance is good, even slightly higher with an extra 10–12 people who attend each service with the congregation that is holding together and encouraging one another, Larson said. A disaster relief mobile unit should arrive within 10 days for the church to use on its own property.
• Saint Green, servant mobilization pastor for Valleydale Baptist Church, Birmingham, began service June 6 as the disaster recovery coordinator for Birmingham Baptist Association (BBA). Green will serve in the new position for one year while continuing limited duties at Valleydale Baptist and retaining full-time employment. In his temporary assignment with BBA, Green will be the point person for all continued disaster recovery efforts by coordinating work with churches, neighborhoods, communities, government entities, volunteer groups and nonprofits. A staff member at Valleydale since 2003, Green has served as the church’s point person for disaster relief since April 28.
• A mobile chapel provided by Alabama Baptist disaster relief has been set up at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Hackleburg, in Marion Baptist Association.
The next two mobile chapels will be placed at Mountain View Baptist Church, Phil Campbell, in Franklin Baptist Association. With the first mobile chapel already in place at Mount Hebron East Baptist Church, Eclectic, in Elmore Baptist Association, the first four of 13 orders have been placed, according to state Baptist leaders.
While there are variables involved in the price of each, such as unit size and distance to move it, the average mobile chapel costs about $65,000. One existing unit was relocated and the others are being leased for 30 months, said Bobby DuBois, associate executive director for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
The 13 units will claim about 40 percent of what has given so far to the Alabama Tornado Relief fund. At press time, that amount was $1,921,396.46.
To donate to the fund or find out more about existing needs, visit www.sbdr.org.
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