District Updates

North Carolina West

24.10.07 – Update from District Superintendent Jerry Lumston:

We have 14 churches in the flood zone – only three had property damage – only one is significant.

We have set up three hubs at our stronger churches to provide/distribute relief supplies. They are primarily serving hard hit communities. Our district churches have filled and sent around 50 truckloads of supplies to serve the communities around our churches. In addition to that, we have two smaller locations in hard hit communities that we are supplying but they have limited space and deliveries there are less frequent. We have found at least one in-state resource that is also providing supplies. There is a bit of a pause in deliveries as supplies were in abundance and we fully stocked the hubs. Knowing that the issue will continue, our churches outside the areas affected are stockpiling supplies for when the demand begins to draw down resources at the hubs.

Buncombe County – the largest county in WNC – is saying it could be weeks before they have water safe to drink (they were having significant water supply issues before the storm). A team of young adults traveled recently to one of our churches to help with hiking the remote neighborhoods to assess well-being and any needs. Some of our teams from one of our churches were stranded overnight when a road failed in a remote area – they were able to get out the following morning. There is still little or no cell or landline services in these areas. As the internet is being restored, stores are opening up. Gas is still at a premium, with waits of an hour or more in some areas. For several days, it was a cash only culture but that is changing. Housing was already at a premium in the mountains and any that have been displaced are staying with family and friends. The area is a challenge because retirees have flocked there over past years and housing costs are very high in comparison to wages.

We have received some very promising donations for flood relief. A focus for work teams has been our church at Old Fort. The pastor and wife lost everything as they were rescued by a boat and had to leave suddenly – unable to take meaningful belongings with them. A Mennonite group from Pennsylvania came to assist the church – there was no connection with the church other than brothers and sisters in the faith. NC East and West teams served today and there were well over 50 volunteers on site. We are having to pause work for a time while we assess an engineer’s report regarding structural damage but the wave of volunteers have removed the mud and debris and we will be removing damaged drywall and insulation before pausing.

It’s been a blessing to see how many are helping. Although the roads are “closed” they were filled with trucks and trailers carrying in supplies. The mountain area has benefited from many various churches and Christian organizations, allowing for a witness of hope and support among the darkest times. We are deeply grateful for the support of Wesleyans throughout the country and certainly are seeing what it means to be part of a connected family of dedicated believers.

If you are interested in continuing updates and information as to how you can encourage and support, please visit our Facebook page: NC West Wesleyans | Facebook

Church Status:

• Bethel Wesleyan – Flat Rock, NC – Buildings are okay – community needs water and supplies.
• Brevard Wesleyan – Brevard, NC – Contact has been made.
• Canton Wesleyan – Canton, NC – Church basement flooded. Community has significant damage and loss of homes. No power, cell service, water, etc.
• Cherokee Wesleyan – Cherokee, NC – Light flooding in area, church and people are safe
• Clyde Christian Fellowship – Clyde, NC – Contact has been made.
• Cornerstone – Bryson City, NC – Church did not have significant impact. Power and water being restored.
• Gibbs Chapel – Morganton, NC – Church buildings are okay, many members and residents had homes damaged. No power, water limited cell service.
• Life Spring – Etowah, NC – Minor flooding from roof leak. No power, phone, water service.
• Light to the Nations – Hendersonville, NC – Trees down with damage
• Morganton Wesleyan – Morganton, NC – Tree on top of church, trees down on property
• Mt. Hebron – Old Fort, NC – Outbuilding lost, some damage to property. Many bridges out / access to homes limited.
• Old Fort Wesleyan – Old Fort, NC – Water entered church and parsonage – both buildings will need significant repairs. There is no flood insurance.
• Rain Hill – Morganton, NC – Some flooding, trees down, utilities and cell service out.

Florida

Update from Shannon McGrady – District Administrator:

• Pastor John Phipps, Senior Pastor at Park Place Wesleyan Church in Pinellas Park, is currently displaced and staying in a hotel with his family due to damage and flooding at their home. Please pray for swift and successful repairs, so they can return home as soon as possible.
• Peace River Wesleyan Church in Port Charlotte has sustained damage to their property. We ask that you keep their church, Pastor Mark Benedict, and the congregation in your prayers during this challenging time.

Kentucky-Tennessee

Update from Aaron Sherman – District Superintendent: We thank the Lord for no major impact to local churches or pastors. Many have gone without power and have faced disruption of life due to road closures, flooding and other related issues, but nothing major and thankfully no loss of life or property.

Shenandoah

• No impact to churches.

South Carolina

• Some impacts to Table Rock Retreat & Conference Center – www.trrcc.org

• Supplies for others being collected at Eden Wesleyan: water, non-perishable food, diapers, formula, toilet paper, paper towels.

  • Contact: Eden Wesleyan 3271 Peachtree Rd, Chesnee, SC 29323 – Richard Hall – (864)-809-6022. 

South Coastal

• No major impacts to churches.

Southern Wesleyan University

Update from Emily Holley – Interim Vice President of Advancement: The university will remain closed through Friday, October 4th with a predicted return to classes and regular campus activities on Monday, October 7th. This decision was made in light of local school closings through the remainder of the week, a prediction from Duke Energy that the surrounding area will not have power fully restored until late Friday night, and ongoing clean up efforts needed both on campus and at the homes of faculty and staff members still struggling with power outages and storm damage.