Many pastors and congregations across southeast Texas faced personal crises at home and another crisis as they surveyed the damage brought by Hurricane Harvey to their church buildings. Samaritan’s Purse rebuild grants have helped strengthen these hurting churches.
As Hurricane Harvey destroyed homes and businesses up and down the Texas coast, it also wreaked havoc on many houses of worship in the area. The damage it caused was demoralizing and often devastating to church congregations and leaders. Buildings were splintered and bent by high winds or damaged by flooding.
Pastor Edward Buford at Sonrise Community Church said the congregation is getting back on its feet thanks to help from Samaritan’s Purse.
After learning of the vast need among congregations in the region, Samaritan’s Purse began to work with church leaders to respond. Last year we began to provide reconstruction grants to these churches and, because of the generosity of our donors, we will be able to help 150 churches in southeast Texas that were crippled by wind and water damage.
These grants have helped congregations get back on their feet and serve the hurting communities around them. For some churches, Samaritan’s Purse assistance has meant the difference between continued ministry in their communities and closing their doors for good.
“Some of the people in this church would have given up hope completely,” said Edward Buford, pastor of Sonrise Community Church in Houston. “We thank God for Samaritan’s Purse coming and fixing this building because we really needed help. It’s unbelievable.”
“We thank God for Samaritan’s Purse coming and fixing this building because we really needed help. It’s unbelievable.”
These grants are but one aspect of our larger post-Harvey reconstruction effort in Texas, which includes repairing or rebuilding homes for hundreds of families. Please pray for our continued efforts in the Lone Star State and for churches and families as they strive to rebuild.
