Florida Baptists respond to threat as the Suwannee River rises

Apr 8, 2009
LAUREN URTEL
Florida Baptist Convention

MAYO (FBC)—Bracing for the Suwannee River’s rising waters, New Hope Baptist Church in Mayo is preparing to move their pews to higher ground.

Heavy rains across North Florida and South Georgia last week have caused the river to surge to dangerously high levels, with many areas overflowing its banks. Flood warnings remain in effect as the river is expected to swell more as the week progresses before it finally crests.

The congregation, which faced devastating floods in 1973 and 1998, is again readying themselves for the rising waters through packing and prayer.

Pastor Charlie Walker has been eyeing water levels to determine when the congregation will be forced to load what they can and leave.

New Hope, a congregation of 100, is located about a mile from the Suwannee River. At least seven families in the church have homes in the flood path as well.

“I want to be here in the church Easter Sunday,” said Walker. “As you can imagine that is special. But I am not sure we are going to make it.”

The congregation began packing items not needed for Sunday worship into boxes April 8. Boxes and church pews were to be loaded into waiting semitrailers as they are told to evacuate. Following the 1998 flood, the church had to relocate for three months.

Walker said the congregation purchased property further down the road, where flood waters will not reach. He is exploring the possibility of holding church services there in a tent if they are forced from their building.

“Please keep us in your prayers,” asked Walker, whose church recently completed a prayer renewal weekend. “God has been doing some neat things here with prayer recently and that is on the forefront of our minds.”

The National Weather Services is reporting widespread flooding over the gulf region with major and record flooding along the Suwannee. A total of ten Florida rivers, affecting 18 counties, currently have flood warnings in effect including the Santa Fe and St. Mary’s rivers.

Florida Baptists Disaster Relief and Recovery is responding to help affected areas, according to Fritz Wilson, director of Florida Baptist Convention's disaster relief operations.

Families evacuated to campgrounds in Madison County are being fed and ministered to by volunteer disaster relief workers from the Middle Florida Baptist Association. Flood victims in Vernon are receiving meals from workers in the West Florida Baptist Association along with cleanup flood kits, Wilson said.

Reports from Blountstown estimate that nearly 20 homes have been destroyed. Disaster relief teams there are waiting for flood water to recede to provide cleanup assistance, according to Wilson.

For many like those at New Hope Church, the worst flooding is still to come and meanwhile Florida Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers look for ways to provide help when needed, Wilson said.

For updated information on Florida Baptist Disaster Relief online, please go to www.flbaptistdisaster.org.

Email this Article Print this page