TORNADO IN LAKE CITY

By Dr. Jim Pratt

Refuge General Baptist Church in Lake City, Arkansas has endured a number of disasters throughout its history.

Organized in 1890 the church’s first building was destroyed by fire on December 20, 1920. For the next fifteen years, they met at Bowman School along with two other churches, the Church of Christ, and the Missionary Baptist Church.

In October 1935, a wood frame church building with a dirt floor was built by members. In April 1965, a new 30 x 60 block building was built. After a few upgrades and additions in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a covered entrance was added in March 1984. This church building was destroyed by a tornado on April 3, 1984.

Refuge Church once again stood strong and rebuilt with its first service in the new building held on September 9, 1984.

In July 1997, the multi-purpose building was completed, and an extension was added in 2002. In 2006, the youth room was added, and in 2007 an outdoor pavilion completed.

Then 2020 happened. Pastor Steve Hinkle shared that Refuge Church, as a result of COVID-19, spent time having worship services online and then began meeting in the church’s east lot for drive-in services. Eventually, they began meeting indoors and gathered in the gymnasium, practicing social distancing and wearing facial coverings. They held worship in the sanctuary on August 16, 2020, for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Pastor Steve reminded the church, “Although it sure felt good to be back home, it is not about the building, the people are the church.”

On August 27, 2020, the remnants of Hurricane Laura impacted Refuge Church bringing a new disaster. A tornado once again struck Refuge Church. Pastor Steve, his wife, and his son waited out the storm in the church parsonage across the parking lot from the church facilities. Just as they made their way to the bathroom in their house, they heard the tornado and could feel the house shaking.

Once they felt safe, they exited their house and saw all the damage. The church pavilion and fellowship hall were destroyed, as well as a storage building on the church property. The main building that houses the sanctuary was extensively damaged. Miraculously, there was very little damage done to the parsonage located less than 50 feet from the destroyed buildings. Pastor Steve believes that, without a doubt, God protected them.

The total rebuild of the facilities at Refuge Church may take 2 years or more. Well before the current disaster a Bible verse had been displayed in flowing script on an interior wall. “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in time of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). The church embraced that verse, and the very next Sunday following the tornado, the First Baptist Church in Lake City, Arkansas, made their church available for the Refuge Church to meet for worship.

Refuge Church met at the First Baptist Church for a few weeks until other arrangements could be made. A vacant building in Lake City was secured and renovated to include a worship area, coffee bar area, children’s area, and a welcome center.

After Refuge Church rebuilds at their permanent location, the temporary location may be used as a community food pantry and a community youth center where the churches of Lake City, Arkansas, could come together to minister to the needs in their community.

On Sunday, October 4, 2020, the first worship service at their current location, Refuge Church had 81 individuals in attendance, plus over 30 additional individuals viewing the worship service online.

That day Pastor Steve challenged the church to see that church buildings are great but that the people are the church. Wherever they are, no matter what building they occupy, they are still God’s people.

Pastor Steve, who has been at the church for about 2 years, expressed gratitude for all the prayers and financial support the General Baptist family has given to Refuge Church. Currently, nearly $30,000 has been given through the denomination to help the church during this time of transition. In addition, other area churches have also contributed financially to Refuge Church.

Refuge Church is praying about how they can financially be a blessing to others even during this time of transition. Pastor Steve continues to ask folks to pray for the future of Refuge Church. “I believe God will provide for our future, but my greatest desire is that God will use the storm Refuge Church went through for His glory and honor. God wants to take your messy and make it beautiful. God will give you hope.”

Pastor Steve’s message to his church is a message we all need to hear and share. Truly, God is our refuge and strength.

Bonus Video Content!

Jim Pratt interviews Pastor Steve Hinkle about the Tornado in Lake City. Find this, and all Messenger Bonus Videos, on the General Baptist Vimeo Channel. https://vimeo.com/473900304