Recently, an Indiana church was hit with a devastating tornado, forcing the congregation to pick up the pieces of what’s left. Last week, a series of deadly tornados ravaged the Midwest, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
The Freedom Life Church in Winchester, Indiana, was impacted by this dangerous weather event, and the congregation is now reeling from the impact of a tornado that left most of the town virtually unrecognizable. Fortunately, most of the church members walk away from the disaster unscathed.
“When we came out, we couldn’t see the road,” Whitney Smith told the Indianapolis Star, detailing the catastrophe. “Everything was black.” However, she recalls going to prayer in the name of Jesus Christ as the power went out in the church and the building began to shake violently. Smith explained how she laid on top of her 2-year-old son to protect him as the structure began to succumb to the ferocious winds of the tornado.
The Smith family continued to express their gratitude toward God for keeping them safe during the event where the family walked away with only minor injuries. Patrick Smith, Whitney’s husband, stated that the family could see another day in light of God’s divine protection.
“While hunkered down in their church, the tornado blew through the building like a wrecking train and tore down the walls… Right on top of them. Because of God’s good grace; Skylar, Whitney, and Thesa were able to escape the wreckage with very little injuries. Scratches at most. Fortunately, a load-bearing wall fell, right they needed it to,” the husband and father noted.. “God protected us,” Smith added. “I’m just thankful we’re alive.”
However, not everyone in the Midwest shared the same fortune as the Smith family, where at least three deaths have been recorded. Officials predict that more bodies will be uncovered as debris is cleaned up in the coming days.
During a news conference last week, Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy stated that two homes in the community had been nearly or completely leveled, and over 100 buildings had sustained damage. “I’m shaken; it’s overwhelming,” he said. “I heard what sounded like a train, and then I started hearing sirens.”
In the aftermath of the tornado, the site where Freedom Life Church once stood is barely recognizable. “Please pray for our community! Many are hurting physically, materially, mentally, and emotionally during this crisis,” wrote Freedom Life’s lead pastor, Matt Holloway.
However, instead of focusing on rebuilding their sanctuary immediately, Freedom Life’s congregation is focused on helping out those in the community who are suffering. “Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have trouble … but take heart, for I have overcome the world,” the pastor added. “We trust in Jesus as much now as ever! He is the overcomer! Praying for you all.”
Patrick Smith recently created an online fundraiser to help cover the unexpected expenses that have arisen from the devastation caused by the weather event. “I have created this GoFundMe in hopes to raise donations in support of the upcoming hospital bills that the Hanlin’s will be facing, as well as, help with cost of living while Eric will be recovering from surgery. He will be out of work for 3 months while he rehabs and gets back to 100%,” Smith explained.
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