First came a flood, then lightning. But this church still plans Thanksgiving for 1,000

Their church was flooded and then struck by lightning, but the damage has only made the congregation at the Christian Center of Fort Worth even more determined to provide a Thanksgiving feast for anyone walking through their doors Thursday.

“I’m just thankful that I’ve been chosen to do what I do,” pastor Steve Vanzant said. “Our congregation just loves people. Our volunteers get as much out of this as the people who we serve.

Last month, lightning struck the church steeple, and there were concerns that the freezers where food is kept for those who need it were damaged. In January, broken water pipes flooded the area where the church stores food and clothing.

But Vanzant was resolute Tuesday as he surveyed the calm before “organized chaos” begins. That’s when volunteers gather to finish preparing the Thanksgiving feast. The large kitchen sinks were filled with turkeys still thawing and ingredients were laid out for stuffing, cornbread and mashed potatoes. The church receives donations from the Tarrant Area Food Bank and grocery stores.

In the church gym, where the meals will be served, 24 round tables were decorated with sunflowers, fall leaves and pumpkin cutouts.

Vanzant said people will start lining up before 8 a.m. Thursday morning although the feasting doesn’t get underway until 11.

After the meal, everyone gets a bag of groceries filled with produce, meats and other foods.

The church feeds 800 to 1,200 every Thanksgiving depending on the economy, he said.

Anyone is welcome at the church, and there are no questions asked about a person’s income.

“We don’t mess with that stuff. We know there are people who try to take advantage of the system, but we don’t judge,” he said.

A year of challenges

In early January, Vanzant got to the church and discovered that frozen pipes had burst, causing the ceiling to collapse and damage the drywall and flooring in the area where clothing and food are kept. The food pantry had flooded with several inches of water.

The church’s insurance company designated a restoration company to help with the cleanup, but the Christian Center was left with a $16,000 bill when Vanzant learned the insurance wouldn’t cover the damage.

But the word went out that the church needed help and $17,000 was raised.

Then, on Oct. 13, lightning struck the church steeple, damaging the church’s electrical system.

Vanzant said he was worried about the freezers and refrigerators used to store food for the needy. But electricians who are church members stepped in to help, making the necessary repairs.

“When our mouth gets bigger, God gets bigger, Vanzant said.

After Thanksgiving is over, the 200-member congregation will begin preparing to serve a Christmas dinner and to hand out groceries and gifts for children.

Last year, the church fed 1,000 on Thanksgiving and the same number again at Christmas.

When asked what keeps him working tirelessly every year to help those in need, Vanzant had a simple answer.

“We do what we do no matter how things are going. We get things done. That’s who we are.”