Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, Flat Rock, NC
Our community has seen a disaster like never before. And yet – they are also seeing the light of God at work like never before! While houses and cars, roads, and towns have been lost, every single member of Pinecrest is alive and unharmed. He saved lives – mere seconds before they would be lost. What other blessing could we have asked for? And because of His blessings, we have been able to be a blessing for our community!
Our church building was untouched by the storm – and had both water and power restored in 2
days! We opened the doors, served hot meals, and had 100 people come every day. They charged their devices, they ate delicious (donated!) meals, and they even got haircuts! We became a “free supply store” through the generous and loving gifts from our sister churches in the surrounding areas (Pisgah, Back Creek, Gaston Community, Starmount, Smyrna) and have completely filled and emptied our fellowship hall 3 times this week. We see the heartbroken and weary faces enter our building and change when they come for lunch each day. They share their stories, they cry, they laugh, and they let us pray with them. They leave with bellies filled and arms loaded with supplies. Their burdens lighter and eyes brighter.
We at Pinecrest have been blown away by the generosity of our denomination. How they have shown up and come LITERALLY to our doorstep – to the rescue of our hurting community is such a beautiful reminder of the family of God. Thank you.
The plan for this week is to feed the community hot lunches every day and let them shop our free supply store – which now includes clothing, shoes, jackets, and warm blankets (it’s getting down to the low 40’s this week). Back Creek is sending more supplies and bringing a fried chicken lunch! Pray for continued strength for our volunteers as they serve. Pray that the families walking into our church for the first time will meet Jesus. Pray that our community will heal. Praise God with us for the lives He spared!
(Update from Kathy Carson, wife of Rev. Rhett Carson)
City Church of Asheville
Members of our congregation that were in Asheville this weekend were able to gather to sing hymns & pray at our normal place of worship. We will continue to have service at our normal time for future Sundays. We are continuing to provide supplies to the community from our office in downtown Asheville. We continue to have the supplies we need to distribute to the community. The place we use for worship is a Seventh Day Adventist church and we are partnering with them as a storage location for supplies and trying to figure out a way to distribute goods together. Today is the test-run, so be praying for how that goes and how we can continue to partner.
(Update from Kristin Stiling, Administrator)
Reformation Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville, NC
I wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for all the assistance you have given to Reformation, Pinecrest, and City Church. You have blessed our congregations, and by extension enabled us to be a blessing to our communities – being the hands and feet of Christ. Through you, our Savior has supplied for our needs in abundance. Several of you have been the organizing engine to provide whatever we have needed.
It is hard to put into words both the tragedy and beauty of the situation. There are so many stories of destruction and hurt, but also stories of mercy, love, and grace. Yesterday, on the Lord’s Day, our congregation gathered for worship and lunch for the first time. God’s people were so thankful to be together again. I was told by numerous people that the isolation from friends and the outside world was extremely difficult. Some had been traumatized by the flooding and trees that hit their house. One elderly woman thought she was going to die when two large trees crushed her roof. To worship and fellowship together nourished our souls. God met with us, and we were blessed.
Many members had damage due to downed trees – cars crushed and damaged roofs. We had members who lost their businesses. One member owned an ice cream shop along the river in Chimney Rock. It is no longer there; only a cliff remains. Another member owns a small engineering & manufacturing business. It was flooded and all his equipment is ruined. They are not sure what their future holds, but it is in God’s hands. A couple that lives in a trailer park reported that of the twelve trailers in their area of the park, only theirs remained; all were either swept away or crushed. Most will be without power for a while, and some are still without water. But all our members are grateful to be alive and safe.
Our community is filled with hurting people. A friend of a member came to get supplies for a remote area that was devastated by mudslides. Her husband lost eight family members. Five of their bodies have been recovered; they are still searching for the others. So many outside the church have no one to help them.
As the week progressed, we got more organized to help church members and the community. I can’t say enough about our deacons! The Lord has been at work through them. Our members have worked together tirelessly to meet needs. Our fellowship hall became a distribution point for food, water, medical supplies, diapers, gasoline, generators, etc. We received shipments from many churches. People continue to come for needed supplies for their families. It has been rich and rewarding to welcome and embrace them.
Church members and volunteers from other churches as far as Gastonia, Charlotte, and beyond came together on Thursday through Saturday. Six chainsaw crews went out. We cooked hot meals, gave hot cups of coffee, and prayed with people who came in hopes of finding a refuge. We drove supplies to hard hit places around the county. The crew I was leading went to a government housing unit. We drove up and people looked shell-shocked. All their belongings were ruined. The water came up to the roofline. When we offered food and water they didn’t even know how to respond. As we gently insisted, they broke down in tears. No one had come to help. They were told to shelter in place during the storm, but they had to flee in the night. One family swam out the front door with their children strapped to their backs. The husband broke into the house next door to rescue a 93-year-old woman who would have drown otherwise. As we went, we hugged and prayed with people. Many people outside the church have no one to help them. A member asked a woman, “What are your feeling?” She said, “I’m angry and I’m scared.” Our member was able to comfort her. The community is seeing the love of Christ. One man, who visited some time ago, lives near a church member. One of our crews did work on his property. He was overwhelmed that strangers would help him that way. People who are skeptical of “the church” have seen God’s people put their faith into action with words and deeds. The Gospel is being adorned by the compassionate hearts of believers.
Churches that have never been in contact with each other have worked together. I’ve met other pastors who are trying their best to shepherd their flock and care for neighbors. Our church members who lost much have reported that it was good for their souls to get out and help others. I thanked the congregation Sunday for all their service. The Gospel turns us upward toward the Lord and outward towards others.
Sunday was truly a day of rest. Our members are tired. We needed the physical and spiritual rest God provided. Over the next few days, our Session and Diaconate will be developing an longer term plan to address ongoing needs in the church and community. We have members who suffered financial loss or need repairs. We also want to be a sustained presence in Henderson County.
I could say more. Just know that God is at work amid the chaos. It will take a long time to rebuild western North Carolina. But every tragedy is an opportunity for the grace of God to triumph. May the name of the Lord Jesus be exalted as the church shares the healing power of the kingdom of God with a hurting world.
Thank you!
Your friend in Christ,
Matt Lucas
Reformation Presbyterian Church
The Good Samaritan Fund has been set up with an online giving link for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief. You may click here to give online or mail a check to the ARP Center, 918 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Ste. 127, Greenville, SC 29607. Be sure to include Hurricane Helene in the memo. Make the check out to ARP General Synod. Let me know if you have any questions, stanner@arpsynod.org.