For Fort Worth church, a time to build up

By BOB RAY SANDERS

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck up that which has been planted

A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to tear down

And a time to build up . . .

— Ecclesiastes 3: 1-3

It was cold and bleak that Saturday morning in April 2007 — but in no way as dark and dreary as the night before when a tornado roared through parts of Fort Worth and Haltom City, killing one man and devastating large swaths in its path.

I had gone to the scene where neighbors and other onlookers had gathered on the grounds of Valley Missionary Baptist Church, which had served the small Garden of Eden neighborhood since it was founded in a tent a few yards away in 1949.

Its roof was gone and most of its brick walls. The white steeple had been blown into a pond more than 200 yards away, where it bobbed like a cork on a fishing line. The main chandelier adorned the top of a nearby shattered tree, and choir robes were strewn across the debris-filled property.

Eerily intact, as if readied for Sunday morning worship service, were the pulpit, the pews and a newly purchased baby grand piano.

Also intact were the souls of the small church’s members, who assembled in disbelief, but not in a state of mourning. They immediately had decided that whatever happened was "the work of the Lord," and no matter how devastating things were, it was all for the good.

Although there still were downed trees and power lines in the area, strangers as well as political leaders such as the mayors of Fort Worth and Haltom City made their way to the church to assess the damage, but mostly to offer comfort.

Many people brought cash and checks to help with the rebuilding effort; others pledged assistance with materials and in removing the rubble.

In the weeks that followed, help would come from all over the area from individuals and churches of various denominations, sizes and ethnicities.

Offers of aid came from businesses and professionals eager to give their services toward reconstruction, a task certain to be a community endeavor; one that surely would be a show of brotherhood and Christianity that would make God proud.

The Beck Group coordinated the project, donating the design, the project manager and some construction services. Fellowship Church in Grapevine, in addition to contributing funds, loaned its building expertise to help in the process.

After two years, the project is finished.

I went by last week to see a sparkling new building sitting on the spot where once there was only ruin. The structure looked remarkably similar to the old building, except it was twice the size and included the amenities of a kitchen, fellowship hall and added office and classroom space.

A white steeple with a cross on top sparkled in the sunlight, and the original cornerstone was in place. Also affixed to the front of the building was a City of Fort Worth Landmark plaque.

Incorporated into the front steps are some of the pink bricks from the destroyed structure, and freshly planted landscaping and a paved parking lot accented the newness.

Valley Missionary Baptist Church is back, thanks to the help of many kind-hearted folks bent on doing good. No doubt many of them will be on hand at 3 this afternoon when the building is officially dedicated.

I have no doubt that also on hand will be some of those saints, like my mother, who have gone on — who could have never imagined this new edifice during their lifetimes when they struggled every week to raise money to pay off the note of the old building.

They will be among those joining in the chorus of amens and hallelujahs, shouting for joy and singing the praises of an awesome God.

They will be saying what I often heard the former pastor, Rev. E.E. Warren, say he always wanted to hear:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Bob Ray Sanders’ column appears Sundays and Wednesdays. 817-390-7775

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