A Dec. 28 tornado destroyed the building of O’Zion Baptist Church near Meadville, Mississippi, 90 years after another tornado flattened the church’s facilities.
Church members Rick and Dianne Strawbridge were inside O’Zion Baptist when the recent tornado hit, but neither were injured. Rick Strawbridge called it a “God thing” when he spoke with Fox Weather today (Dec. 29). After the storm passed, the two found themselves laying on the concrete surrounded by debris — without a scratch.
‘He has a bright future for us’
Church secretary Phyllis Whittington said the church has bounced back once, and they can do it again. The church met this morning at the rubble to pray, then went to Whittington’s house to hold their Sunday services.
“God is good,” she told Fox Weather. “We’re all devastated, but I know He has a bright future for us.”
The tornado was part of a spate of severe storms that ripped across the Southeast on Dec. 28 killing four and causing damage from Texas to the Carolinas.
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief was assessing damage today, as were disaster relief leaders in other states.
