Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Tornado-ravaged GA church celebrates reopening, raises $24,000 for KY

  • January 3, 2022
  • Georgia's The Christian Index
  • Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Latest News
Doug McCart reminds worshippers at Unity Baptist Church of the tornado that did some $6 million in damages in March.
(Photo courtesy of the Christian Index)

Tornado-ravaged GA church celebrates reopening, raises $24,000 for KY

Nine months ago, Unity Baptist Church’s campus in Newnan, Georgia, was in shambles with three buildings heavily damaged and two others destroyed by a massive EF-4 tornado packing winds in excess of 175 mph.

Roofs were blown off. Gaping holes were left in walls. The bus garage disappeared. The gymnasium was beyond repair. Damage was about $6 million.

“As the old song says, ‘we’ve come a long way, baby,’” said Pastor Doug McCart, standing in a renovated worship center. “It’s absolutely amazing what God has done.”

Reaching out to help others

On Sunday (Jan. 2) , members of the congregation celebrated a “grand reopening,” observing the day by collecting an offering for Kentucky churches to help survivors of a deadly December outbreak of tornadoes that killed 77 people.

That offering totaled more than $24,791.

“It’s pretty amazing,” McCart said. “Our people have been given so much, and now they’re reaching out to help others.”

If any congregation understands what the Kentucky churches are facing, it’s Unity Baptist. While three buildings have been restored at a cost of $4.5 million, the congregation still has to replace the gymnasium.

Damage from the tornado remains obvious all over Newnan. Some homes still have tarps draped across their damaged roofs. Others have plywood nailed over blown out windows. A two-story apartment building just down the street is missing its roof and upper walls, leaving soggy furnishings exposed.

McCart and his wife Greta had taken refuge in the church’s gymnasium when the tornado roared through Newnan. As they sat together in a stairwell, they felt the walls begin to sway back and forth. They heard the tin peeling off the roof. The stairs began to shake like a rollercoaster.

“That’s when I said ‘this building can’t stand this kind of pressure; I’m about to meet Jesus face to face,’” McCart said.

The McCarts’ survival was national news. The Weather Channel interviewed the pastor and showed footage of the badly damaged church. Other TV stations across the country used the interview and footage on their newscasts.

The tornado that hit Unity Baptist was one of several that had hopscotched across Georgia and Alabama on March 26, leaving widespread destruction in their wake. Some 200 homes were destroyed and another 4,000 damaged.

‘It has pulled us together’

McCart said the Lord has blessed Unity Baptist in ways that are of far greater importance than the restored buildings. He said the congregation has experienced revival, adding 50 new members over the past year and celebrating 23 baptisms despite the tornado.

“It has pulled us together,” McCart said.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Roger Alford and first published by the Christian Index, news service of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • First person: How churches can encourage Christian fathers
    First person: How churches can encourage Christian fathers
    June 15, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • First person: My Dad, the know-it-all — and ‘lifelong learner’
    First person: My Dad, the know-it-all — and ‘lifelong learner’
    June 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Churches targeted in Russian-occupied Ukraine
    Churches targeted in Russian-occupied Ukraine
    June 13, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

First person: How churches can encourage Christian fathers

The church has many opportunities to encourage Christian fathers. Unfortunately, some fathers today did not grow up in the church or have parents who provided a Christian home.

First person: My Dad, the know-it-all — and ‘lifelong learner’

My dad is a know-it-all — in history, especially naval and American history; in politics; in random facts spanning from space exploration and “Star Wars”

Churches targeted in Russian-occupied Ukraine

Authorities in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of Ukraine raided an unregistered Baptist church during a Pentecost Sunday worship service, an Oslo-based news service focused on international human rights and religious freedom reported.

Christian musician’s admission shines light on ‘double life’

Days after an investigation revealed allegations of sexual assault against Christian musician Michael Tait, the former Newsboys frontman publicly admitted to abusing cocaine and alcohol and touching men “in an unwanted sensual way.”

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel