On April 27, 2011, Greensport Baptist Church, Ashville, in St. Clair Baptist Association sustained about $200,000 in damage, said Pastor Marlin Cox.
Tornadic activity caused the sanctuary roof to shift, the steeple to relocate and the pull-through in front of the fellowship hall to fly into the woods behind the building, he said.
Yet even though the church building was broken, the spirit and determination of the congregants was not. They ministered in the community, working to clean up properties and to assist those in need, Cox said. He estimated church members were involved in helping in the community for about a year.
“Our people helped clean up property,” Cox continued. “Some of our people helped with rebuilding houses for people.”
Working alongside others in that manner gives opportunity to tell individuals about Jesus Christ, he said. Even though the church building was damaged, it served as the headquarters for FEMA and Red Cross for about six weeks.
When it was time for Vacation Bible School (VBS) last summer, the church set up tents on its tennis court to accommodate the event. Cox said he believes having VBS outdoors like that created excitement among the children who attended.
The church, which averages about 60 in Sunday worship, reduced its schedule to one worship service a week while repairs were underway at the church. Now, though, Cox reports that “everything is back to normal” with the church.
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