Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — At least one Tennessee Baptist church was destroyed following tornadoes and straight line winds that tore across Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee during the early morning hours of Dec. 11, leaving behind dozens of deaths and numerous injuries.
Bethpage Baptist Church in Kenton was leveled by the tornado. (Full story HERE). The storm tore apart the church’s gym and fellowship hall. The sanctuary remained intact, but the building has now been classified as a total loss due to structural damage caused by the winds.
“We know have to take everything down and start from scratch,” Bethpage pastor Garry Burkacki said. The church’s steeple was found in a farmer’s field about 600 or 700 yards away from the church.
Roger Stacy, director of missions for Gibson Baptist Association, said the town of Kenton, near the Obion County line, was hit hard with about 60 homes damaged, some of which were a total loss. “We are fortunate. There was no loss of life (there).”
As of Dec. 13, Stacy was still awaiting word from the county’s Emergency Management Office. “We are waiting to see how we can be a part of the cleanup efforts,” he said. [Read more…]