Lighthouse after the tornado

Greensburg churches rebuild after tornado destroyed town

If you saw the photos of Greensburg shortly after the tornado virtually wiped the community from the map, you might have asked yourself, “Where was God?” The answer: He was there... and He’s still there...helping to rebuild the community, reports By Stan Wilson, special to ASSIST News Service .

While all of the churches were destroyed, not a single church is without a place to worship. Not only that, there’s a new spirit of love and cooperation between the churches of Greensburg and Kiowa County. Marvin George, pastor of the First Baptist Church and president of the Kiowa Ministerial Alliance recently invited me to attend a meeting of the alliance. I’ve never seen a group of men and women who seem to be tightly bonded with love for each other. Pastor George said, “We feel that we’ve been empowered to rebuild.”

They also know where their priorities are, and praising and worshiping our Lord and God is top priority. Only nine days after the tornado, they held a city-wide tent service, and they’ve planned an end-of-year community wide worship service for December 30 at 10:30 a.m. They invite everyone to join them for worship in the Greensburg High School gymnasium.

Not only are they rebuilding, they’re planning on an even greater presence in the city. The Ministerial Alliance owns the CareNSave thrift store, and it is set for a tentative January reopening at 207 S. Main.

Lighthouse Worship Center (Assembly of God) was located at 804 W. Wisconsin and they are meeting in a modular building at the same location while a permanent structure is scheduled to start construction in May.

Faith Tabernacle Church was located at 700 W. Kansas and they are meeting at the temporary hospital near their original location. Their new building has already been built by Lutheran volunteers and it is presently used as a community building. It will be available to the church in two years.

First Baptist Church was located at 123 W. Florida and they are meeting in a temporary building located on the Kyle farms. They will be rebuilding a permanent structure at a yet to be determined location.

First Christian Church was located at 1200 S. Main and they are meeting at the Kiowa Supply building in Mullinville. A permanent structure will be built at the original location.

First United Methodist Church was located at 600 W. Lincoln and they are meeting in a temporary building at the same location. The new church is under construction along with a day care and preschool. It has been tentatively set to be re-opened in May.

Greensburg Mennonite Church was located at 310 W. Pennsylvania and they are presently meeting at the Mullinville High School auditorium. They plan to rebuild at the original location.

Peace Lutheran Church was located at 321 S. Walnut and they are presently meeting in a modular building at the same location. They plan a permanent structure at a yet to be determined location.

St. Joseph Catholic church was located at 215 W. Morton and they are meeting in a modular building at the same location. They plan to rebuild a permanent church at the same location.

Youth for Christ, a non denominational organization, has been very active in Greensburg, and they continue working in the community from their Pratt location.

The residential areas of Greensburg are also coming back. New homes of all types are beginning to appear. Most of the residents, however, remain in “FEMAville,” the name given to the row-after-row of mobile homes that have been provided for those who lost their home.

While most of the day-to-day needs of the residents have been met, many families still need help. The relief agencies have moved, so it is suggested that you contact your church. Virtually every denomination has a program in place to help.

Yes God is alive and Greensburg, and He will be smiling December 30 as the residents join together to worship Him and praise His name.

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[01/03/2008]

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