By Carl Stagner

As of Wednesday, October 28, Hurricane Zeta was expected to arrive by day’s end in southeastern Louisiana before barreling farther northeast across an already saturated and battered landscape. If the pandemic weren’t enough, 2020 has been a particularly active hurricane and tropical storm season, especially affecting parts of eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Without a chance to fully recover from previous storms, the onset of Zeta only makes the situation worse as residents are reeling from widespread damage caused by wind, downed trees, and flooding. Such is the case for the community of Fairhope, Alabama, where Church of God Ministries recently sent funds for disaster relief.

Wayne Anderson is the pastor of South River Park Church of God in Fairhope. Among nature’s culprits this year, Hurricane Sally did the most damage in their neck of the woods. Crossing the coastline on September 11, the Category 2 storm’s fury came in the form of rain. In fact, reports described parts of Alabama and the Florida panhandle has having received four months of rain in only four days. Extremely soft ground was no match for a hurricane’s winds; trees toppled like toothpicks in every direction, sadly falling on countless cars, homes, and businesses. The fellowship building of South River Park Church of God was no exception.

“The damage to the roof of the fellowship hall was, thankfully, isolated to just one area of the building,” Pastor Wayne explains. “There was some water damage inside, but not extensive.”

The church is situated on ten acres and includes a pecan orchard. Sadly, they lost about half of their pecan trees. But Pastor Wayne doesn’t linger long on their assessment of the church property. His heart breaks for the numerous homeowners who lost everything, including two young couples in their congregation.

“The storm was a lot worse than anybody had expected,” he reflects. “Some areas with Sally received as much as thirty inches of rain. We had resumed in-person worship services in early August following the pandemic shutdowns, but we had to cancel services again due to lack of electricity. But my prayer is really for the young couples who lost their homes and just about everything they owned inside. Both couples are still, to this day, living with their relatives.”

Roof damage was widespread after Hurricane Sally.

And then there was (is) Hurricane Zeta! As the Disaster Relief Team monitors the critical situation, reaching out to our pastors and churches on the ground, will you partner with us with your generous donation? Give now at https://faithlife.com/coggm-c/give?funds=4743. Keith Hall, regional pastor for Mississippi Ministries of the Church of God, is helping to direct disaster relief funds where they’re needed in both Mississippi and Alabama. Upon hearing of the need at South River Park Church of God, Church of God Ministries promptly released funds to Mississippi Ministries to support the Fairhope congregation’s rebuilding efforts.

Church of God Ministries is only able to respond swiftly when disaster strikes because it maintains a disaster relief fund. In crises where an immediate response is critical for relief, Church of God Ministries advances funds in anticipation of a gracious outpouring of donations from churches and individuals. Disaster Relief contributions are utilized to bring relief to those affected by disasters worldwide.

Give now at https://faithlife.com/coggm-c/give?funds=4743. Donations can also be mailed to Church of God Ministries, PO Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018; please note that your gift is for Disaster Relief, Project #45.04502. Learn more about Church of God Disaster Relief at https://www.jesusisthesubject.org/disaster-relief/. Thank you!