A near miss for Evangel Press
(A direct hit for the churches)

On Thursday evening, October 18th, an EF3 category tornado tore through the southeast part of Nappanee, Ind., coming precariously close to Evangel Press. But within mere feet of the Press’s building, the tornado shifted course, and Evangel was spared extensive damage. An empty truck trailer landed on the press’s delivery truck, and flying debris punched small holes in the roof and side wall of the building, but these inconveniences didn’t stop the presses for long. According to Roger Williams, executive director, within just a few days after the storm, Evangel was back in business, even before the telephone lines had been restored.  

Other businesses were not as fortunate, however, and in the aftermath of the tornado, the Nappanee Brethren in Christ congregation joined with other volunteers in the clean-up efforts. On the Sunday following the tornado, the Nappanee community invited anyone who was willing to meet at 10 a.m. to participate in clean-up efforts, and close to 3,000 people came out to work.  

Looking back on that Sunday, Jeff Williams, pastor of the Nappanee church, notes that “even more amazing, almost the same number had to be turned away because there just wasn't anywhere else to send them (nor enough buses to get them there).  People came from all over. The Church was a clear presence throughout. Some churches gathered food and/or water to give to the workers. Many churches organized large groups to come serve -- even churches from the surrounding towns. In a society where the Church is increasingly seen as irrelevant, we were able provide a different image to our larger community - the image of the people of God who care deeply for people and the image of a God who loves, cares, and suffers with those in pain.”

« back to the November 2007 Momentum