UPDATED 9/19/2020:
Many are concerned and inquiring about the welfare of our churches and people in the region. So as we head into the week, let me provide a brief update of what we have learned and been able to confirm thus far.
Communication with/from Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, continues to remain a challenge since Hurricane Sally hit the Western Florida panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast on Wednesday night. Pastor Shawn Kennedy was able to successfully call out and connect with me yesterday afternoon, but the duration of the connection was short-lived.
All three Alliance churches in the area sustained some wind and water damage to varying degrees. It appears that Genesis Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama sustained the most damage, but Eternal Life Church in Lillian, Alabama, and Ensley Alliance Church in Pensacola, Florida, were not exempt. Hurricane insurance in this area is for the most part cost-prohibitive, making it out of reach for many churches. Genesis Church did have hurricane insurance, but their deductible is $80,000. An insurance adjuster is scheduled to assess the damage at Genesis Church early next week, but pastor Shawn estimates that the damage will likely not exceed the deductible amount, but $50,000 – $60,000 in repairs will likely need to be made. These repairs, along with those at Eternal Life Church and Ensley Alliance Church will have to be financed from these churches’ budgets, which is already stretched as a result of COVID-19. So please pray for God’s provision and enabling.
Almost miraculously, Eternal Life Church (Lillian, Alabama) escaped what could have been catastrophic damage. There are only a few feet between the church building and a house that used to serve as the church’s parsonage. A HUGE tree fell during the storm and landed exactly between the two buildings! It hit the electric wire and pulled the meter box off of the house, but did not hit either building. As mentioned in an earlier communication, however, significant wind and water damage were inflicted upon Pastor Calvin & Sharon Bartl’s home.
Genesis Church has sprung into action to minister to the needs of the Gulf Shores community. Out of a desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus during this time of need, they have opened up their church parking lot and church building to be a staging area for the distribution of essential items that are needed, but inaccessible due to the disaster. They are distributing water, ice, diapers, personal care items, supplies for clean-up, etc., to those in need. Additionally, they have opened up their gymnasium for those requiring shelter and are using the church’s commercial kitchen to feed workers. The church has gone out into the community with chain saws and to assist with clean-up, as well. Pastor Shawn Kennedy sent a text message last evening which read: “I lined up almost 10 yards to clean up today. People were crying … it was a good day!”
We have learned that one family from Genesis Church lost their home completely as a result of storm damage, but countless families have experienced damages to their homes – some significant.
CAMA Services, the relief arm of The Alliance, has stepped in to donate $5,000 to the Southern District to assist Genesis Church with its disaster relief efforts for which we are tremendously grateful and appreciative.
There is still no power or internet and cell phone service is ‘sketchy’ at best. The area looks like a war zone with devastation everywhere.
The national news cycle has already moved on to other things in less than 48 hours after Hurricane Sally made landfall. But for the people who live along this section of the Gulf Coast, it remains an ever-present reality and will remain for some time to come. It will likely be weeks before power is restored and/or life even begins to return to normal. And with the scars left behind upon this beautiful area, it will take years to be restored to its former beauty.