Editor’s note: This story will be updated continually on the website at baptistandreflector.org.
Cross Creek Baptist Church was hit with extensive damage by Saturday’s storm.
MOUNT JULIET, 5:15 p.m, CST — Tornadoes were reported moving across Tennessee in the late afternoon and early evening hours on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist, confirmed that all Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams are on call to respond as needed. “We are getting a number of tornado reports from West and Middle Tennessee and the tornadoes are continuing to move east,” Jones said.
Areas already impacted by tornadoes include Gibson County, Lawrence County, Weakley County, Stewart County, Montgomery County, Davidson County, Robertson County, Trousdale County, Macon County and Sumner County.
Jones called on Tennessee Baptists to pray for those in the paths of the storms. Jones also encouraged state DR teams to monitor their areas and to send out assessment teams and activate local units if needed.
UPDATE: 7:00 p.m, CST— Weakley County Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams have already been on site assessing damage in Dresden and will be in Rutherford on Sunday 12/10. The Cumberland Baptist Association DR team will be on location in the Clarksville area conducting damage assessments Sunday 12/10.
Randy C. Davis
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said the storms and tornadoes have the potential to be “horribly damaging in Tennessee and beyond.
“I’ve been in contact with dozens of pastors today, and I am very encouraged by a ‘can do’ compassion articulated by these brothers. Past responses to difficult times would assure us that we will take care of each other through this event,” Davis said.
Davis pledged that Tennessee Baptist DR “will show up, clean up, and help rebuild in the days ahead.
An image taken of the storm in Tennessee.
“I am thankful for the generosity of churches and brothers and sisters from across our state that allows us to respond immediately after the storms and be there for the long-haul of restoration,” he added.
To contribute to Tennessee Baptist DR, go to tndisasterrelief.org and click on Contributions and then select 2023 Tornadoes Fund.
Please contact Jones as soon as possible if your area is affected at wjones@tnbaptist.org or Garry Maddox at gmaddox@tnbaptist.org. B&R
