An EF-4 tornado struck Hattiesburg, MS two days ago causing considerable damage. While there are a number of people who were injured, by God’s grace, no deaths have been reported. The University of Southern Mississippi was in the path of the storm and has sustained damaged to several buildings. What follows is an update from TE Sean Lucas, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Hattiesburg.

[Editor’s Note: Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, Miss., was heavily damaged. To see other photos of the tornado’s damage, go here.]  [Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]

Photo Credit: Ryan Moore-Hattiesburg American

My dear friends:

The Lord has certainly been gracious to us, both as a congregation and as a city. Though the storms ripped through Hattiesburg last night, it appears that there was no loss of life in our city and no injuries in our congregation, for which we rejoice. I wanted to give you an update about what has happened over the past twenty-four hours so that you might know what we’ve done and what we are planning as we assist with the recovery efforts.

1. Knox Baird and Daniel Jussely, our current diaconate chairman, led a group of elders and deacons through an assessment process. Working with these men and other shepherding team leaders, we have made contact with every church member that lives in the path of yesterday’s storm. That process has helped us discern exactly what the needs are and how we might help going forward. If somehow we missed you and you need help, please contact Knox (601-606-4053).

2. The disaster relief teams from our denomination are arriving. Our Grace Presbytery disaster relief trailer from Crystal Springs came this morning; and Sherry Lanier with MNA Disaster Response is coming tomorrow. The MNA folks will be based out of Mcintosh Hall as they work in our area.

3. This morning, we were in contact with Westminster Presbyterian Church to offer the use of our facilities immediately as long as they require as they sort out the next steps.

4. Through Larry Smith, who wears two hats as USM music faculty and our music director, we have offered the use of our choir room and other facilities to the USM school of music as they try to figure out how to move through the semester without the use of the Marconi music building.

5. Knox has been in contact with Carlos Wilson about Ebenezer’s needs and how we might help. Carlos and the Ebenezer deacons are doing their own assessment and will let us know what next steps might be.

Tomorrow, we’ll be meeting with the MNA folks in other to chart next steps. Once that meeting occurs, there will be another church-wide email detailing how we might help with cutting up trees and helping remove debris. Right now, we expect to help our church members and their neighbors, then Ebenezer, and then move outward to Petal. Again, if there are any needs that we are missing, please contact Knox Baird, who is our point person on this process.

Above all, please continue to pray that God would show his mercy to us and through us to our community–that God’s grace can transform even this storm into something that will work together for his salvation.

In the grip of grace,
Sean