As pastor John Crowder stepped onto the makeshift altar in a field, the sun peeked through the overcast morning in West, Texas. Words of hope pierced through the cool morning air as members of First Baptist Church, West, gathered for their first worship service since an April 17 explosion at a local fertilizer plant.
The huge blast killed 15 people and injured at least 200, ripped up apartments, set homes ablaze and damaged the church.
As Crowder preached, the crowd remained largely quiet. Couples held hands. Mothers and fathers put their arms around their children. Before and after the service, hugs were plentiful and tears were scattered.
Preaching from Psalm 46, Crowder emphasized that God is the refuge for West’s citizens. In the midst of losing friends and homes, the townspeople will continue to suffer, the pastor confessed as he struggled at times to hold back his emotions.
“We have more questions than answers,” Crowder said.
“We have lost so many of our friends and neighbors. … As scary as this has been, we don’t have to be afraid,” he said, encouraging people to lean on God during such trying times. At an individual’s lowest point, he said, God often most clearly shows His power. “When you reach the point where you are on your knees crying for help, you have just reached the point of your greatest strength.”
God already is bringing a variety of support for the community, Crowder said. Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery of the Baptist General Convention of Texas already has been providing assistance for Crowder, his family and the congregation and has committed to help for the long-term.
Numerous Texas Baptist Men volunteers were present during the worship service. The organization has a laundry and a shower unit in the area, and a child-care unit is in operation. More than 1,500 boxes have been distributed to residents for salvaging their belongings as they return to see their damaged homes for the first time. Chaplains also are on location.
Dallas Baptist University (DBU) was set to send students to First, West, to lead a Disciple Now youth retreat. After the explosion, the church was prepared to cancel the event. DBU President Gary Cook called Crowder and offered to charter a bus that would bring the youth to DBU for the weekend.
Chris Liebrum, who leads Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery and participated in the worship service, said he believes God will use the members of First, West, in a mighty way.
“First Baptist Church in West will be a major force in the rebuilding of that community,” Liebrum said. “Texas Baptists will stand with them and provide the resources needed so that in Christ’s name they can bring hope to so many who have lost family, friends and possessions.”
Twelve of the people who died were firefighters. They were honored during a memorial service April 25 at the Ferrell Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
During the service, President Barack Obama, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and others praised the courage of the firefighters.
“The Book of Psalms tells us, ‘For You, O God, have tested us, You have tried us, and You have brought us to a place of abundance,’” Obama said at the beginning of his remarks. “You have been tested, West — you have been tried — but you will always be surrounded by the abundance of love.”
Obama also praised Crowder for encouraging his people and the community and for holding outdoor services on Sunday at the damaged church.
The pain West residents are feeling is deep and difficult, Crowder said. Nothing can change what happened. Only God can carry the community through this situation. “What happened here on [April 17] is awful. But God is bigger than this.”
(BP, ABP)
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