200 volunteers help Calera Baptist Church after tornado damage

CALERA, Ala. (WBRC) - In Shelby County, some of the most significant damage from the severe storms over the weekend was found in Calera. The National Weather Service’s preliminary report showed an EF-1 tornado in the area.

While Calera Baptist Church is in pieces Sunday night, hopes are high as the congregation figures out what comes next.

WBRC was at the church Saturday night immediately after the tornado ripped off the roof, but in just 24 hours, a lot of progress has been made. It’s something the congregation is feeling thankful for.

“It was just a wonderful blessing today to see how many people came out to help,” said Pastor Jason Jarvis.

Pastor Jarvis says some 200 volunteers rushed in to help just hours after the tornado ripped the roof of the church. He says a lot of healing has already happened, and the support isn’t letting up.

“I’ve received many many calls from people, many texts from people, offering to help and saying anything you need even if it’s after today in the coming weeks to let us know,” said Jarvis.

The sanctuary flooded Saturday, but the community pushed all of the rain water out and tore up the carpet Sunday. In order to prevent further damage, roofers covered the hole with a massive blue tarp.

Pastor Jarvis says it could be a few weeks before they get back into the building.

Although they were forced to cancel their Sunday morning service, the church is working out their next steps, like trying to find a temporary location.

“We’ve been working with some city leaders as well so we have a couple of places we are looking at.”

While the church that feels like home is in pieces, Pastor Jarvis knows it’s not the building that makes his congregation shine... it’s something more.

“We believe in the body going out and spreading the word of God. We believe in the body coming together to equip the saints for works of service and so both are important…. The building itself is not what defined the church."

While the church is making the most of the moment, they are still asking for prayers and say a temporary location will be announced soon.

They say they plan on updating the community on their Facebook page and church app.

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