Louisiana Churches Continue Recovery from Floods
Although natural disasters have affected Church of God congregations in other places, the recent flooding in Louisiana may have touched more church buildings and church members’ homes than other calamities of recent memory.
Sources report that 7 trillion gallons of water rained on the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana—triple what Hurricane Katrina brought a decade ago. More than 68,000 homes in East Baton Rouge Parish were damaged, and countless buildings are a total loss.
As for the Church of God, five Anglo church buildings and six belonging to Hispanic congregations were damaged by the floods. It is not yet known the extent of destruction of church members’ homes. Surveys by Administrative Bishops Melvin Shuler and Fidencio Burgueño indicate it will take many thousands of dollars to make the church properties usable again. In the weeks since the disaster occurred, dozens of teams from local churches have traveled to Louisiana to assist with cleanup and repair. Operation Compassion has furnished food, water, and supplies, and God’s Pit Crew has provided help. Just this past week, Men and Women of Action had more than 100 workers on the ground; their headquarters and mobile housing unit is set up in Covington. Only 12 percent of the residents in the most heavily devastated parish had flood insurance, according to reports. The low degree of insured properties is partly due to the flooding having occurred in zones that are outside the 100-year floodplain. No one expected floods to happen in those areas.
In a recent report from Shuler, he stated that the Savannah Branch church was flooded in March of this year. The sanctuary, gym and parsonage were in the process of rebuilding. Then, last month 24+inches of water fell in 48 hours and flooded these buildings once again.
“The pastors, David and Patricia Doiron, have not returned to living in the parsonage since March due to the rebuild,” Shuler stated. “Savannah Branch is a small congregation that has been working tirelessly to restore their facility and now they must begin again. Thankfully, Pastor David and Patricia thought to move the newly purchased chairs up on the stage and were able to save them from the flood.” Shuler said estimates of the furnishings and repairs to the Savannah Branch church total over $75,000.
The Robert Church of God Children’s Ministry Building, gym and parsonage were all flooded last March as well and the congregation was also in the process of rebuilding. The church was back up and having services when the floods of last month hit. The same buildings, as well as their sanctuary received flooding this time.
“Pastor Carl and Susan Webb were living in the parsonage and attempted to lift up some of their belongings, but the flood waters were higher and they lost most everything again,” Shuler stated. “This congregation worked together to repair and replace their facility once before and they are pulling together once again. This ordeal is very stressful and exhausting once, but to have this come on you a second time is overwhelming.” Shuler stated a preliminary cost estimate for the Robert church is between $125,000-$135,000.
On August 13, Life Church suffered the results of 4 feet of flood waters in the entire building. These waters affected the stability of the walls and rafters of the church, as well as their youth building. Preliminary estimates here total right at $130,000.
Shuler said, “This is a small, but growing congregation and they are not in a position to sustain this type of burden alone.” Life Church is pastored by Monty and Regina Lasseter.
Bethel Worship Center in Albany is a small congregation that had a very old facility that did not hold up to the flooding. The flooring has absorbed so much moisture that it is crumbling, as well as the walls.
“This flood has motivated us (Pastors Jerry and Betty Hughes, congregation and state leadership) not to spend thousands on the present facility, but seek to build on elevated land,” Shuler stated. “They would need a building kit and set up, slab preparation, chairs, sound system, cabinets, plumbing, carpet/flooring, upgrade on septic system, doors, trim and paint.” Shuler stated the estimate was between $100,000-110,000.
Shuler also reported on the New Beginnings Church of God in Baker, with Pastor Dale and Linder Richter. The estimate for their church is $90,000-$105,000.
“This is also a smaller congregation that has lost everything to the flood of August 2016. Also, Pastor Richter lost his home during this flood as well.”
“In an area so very hard hit by this disaster, without outside help, there is no help,” Shuler concluded. “Being small congregations, they are not self-sufficient to handle the financial burdens this storm has created. The reality of all of these churches is that they are dependent on the Body of Christ.”
That “Body of Christ” has responded as reports of financial assistance have come from many Church of God individuals and churches. A final figure is not yet available due to on-going donations coming in every day.
“Recovering from the massive distress will not be a short-term operation for the churches, but will probably require many months,” stated General Overseer Tim Hill. “Some will choose to relocate, but others—understanding they are likely within a 500- or 1,000-year floodplain—will remain and rebuild. The pastors and their members will appreciate the prayers and continuing assistance from their sister churches that are willing to help.”
To give to the on-going relief effort for Louisiana, please visit www.churchofgod.org and click on the Louisiana Flood graphic.
