By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Volunteers from Knox County Baptist Association and First Baptist Church, Sevierville, sort through the debris of the former home of Martha and Carl Cupp which was destroyed by fire on March 30.
I never cease to be amazed at how quickly and effectively Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers mobilize to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
In late March and early April, wildfires swept across portions of Sevier County. While not nearly as devastating as the Gatlinburg fire of 2016, nearly 3,000 acres were burned and many homes damaged or destroyed.
Martha and Carl Cupp live in the Shagbark Community, a gated community of cabins, in Sevier County. Their home was one of about 38 that was destroyed or severely damaged in that complex. The couple has lived there for four years since retiring, but had owned and worked on their “dream home” for nearly 16 years.
Everything they owned was destroyed in a matter of moments as fire leveled their house. Though the couple is heartbroken and still in shock about two weeks after the fire, Martha Cupp says they are “blessed.” She said they thank God that there was no loss of life. We will make it,” she affirmed.
Lonnie Wilkey
The couple was among the first in their community to be cleared by their insurance company to search for anything that might have survived the fire. They learned about Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief from another homeowner and made arrangements for a team to help sift through the rubble.
Martha Cupp was hoping that some of her mother’s rings could be found, not for any monetary value but for the memories.
A team from Knox County Association of Baptists, led by crew chief David McMillan of Lyons Creek Baptist Church, Strawberry Plains, came to the site on April 7 and were later joined by a youth group from First Baptist Church, Sevierville, who were on spring break. See story on page 3.
The couple watched as the teams sifted bucket after bucket, looking for even remnants of items that could bring back precious memories. They found a few, but not many.
Still, they were so appreciative that people cared enough to come.
Martha Cupp shared with me that it has been hard for her and her husband to accept the generosity and love shown to them in the aftermath of the fire. “We have been overwhelmed by the love and support,” she said.
Martha and Carl Cupp hold the remains of tools that were melted together during the fire that destroyed their home on March 30 in the Shagbark community of Sevier County. Their home was the first one that Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief fire recovery teams were able to help.
She took note of the culture we live in today. There is overwhelming evil in society, she told me. And, she is right. But the couple both affirmed there are “still good people” out there too. “It gives us hope and encouragement.”
Amanda Sweat, student ministry assistant at First Baptist, Sevierville, laughed that sifting through debris was technically not in her job description but she was okay with that. “It should be in every Christian’s job description,” she said.
Sweat noted there “are many ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We don’t always look for them.”
So true. In reality, not a day goes by where we don’t have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We just don’t even try.
I’m grateful that Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers not only look for those opportunities, they do what it takes to show the love of Christ to others on a continual basis.
Whether it’s a fire or a flood, a tornado or a hurricane, Tennessee Baptist volunteers will be there when needed, doing whatever it takes to meet physical needs while at the same time, ready to share the gospel when opportunities arise . After all, that’s what is really important. B&R
