Tornado Ravaged Most Of The Buildings But Kentucky Church Cross Remained Standing

Despite extensive damage caused by a historic Kentuck tornado in 2021, a church cross remained standing as a beacon of hope for the devastated community.

When a deadly tornado ripped across Kentucky in 2021, Wes Fowler of First Baptist Mayfield and his family took shelter in a tunnel beneath the church alongside the youth pastor and his family.

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"We heard and saw the ceiling tiles in the tunnel violently shaking up and down, falling out," the Pastor recalled. "The tunnel filled with debris and dirt. There was a cloud of smoke in the tunnel. It was a very, very scary situation."

Those hiding in the tunnel feared they wouldn't survive the horrifying ordeal. But they made it through safely. However, when they emerged from their bunker, they were surrounded by unimaginable destruction.

"We went out to see some of the debris and to see some of the destruction, and it was just a very bad scene," Wes explained. "Every part of our structure is damaged – ceilings ripped off, roofs ripped off, windows busted out. Just a devastating scene."

Kentucky Tornado 2021 Leaves A Wake Of Ruin

At least 74 people were killed in a historic tornado that ravaged Mayfield and other parts of Kentucky. And amidst the aftermath, it's hard to see anything besides utter desolation.

But amongst all the rubble and collapsed buildings, the First Baptist Mayfield church cross remained standing.

"That cross that we put up in the window is still there and the window is gone. Everything else is gone. But the cross still stands," said Barry Fowler, a member from the church.

For some, it may not feel like much. But for the members of the congregation and community, the church cross serves as a reminder to God's people that though they are pressed on every side, they are not crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8).

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"Most of the structures in Mayfield are damaged," Wes Fowler tweeted, "and many have crumbled to the ground, but the Gospel will remain for eternity."

Most of the structures in Mayfield are damaged, and many have crumbled to the ground, but the Gospel will remain for eternity. pic.twitter.com/by9CW6Ssof

— Wes Fowler (@jwfowler128) December 13, 2021

Church Cross Brings Hope

On Sunday, just a couple of days after the Kentucky tornado 2021, the congregation of First Baptist Mayfield gathered at the sanctuary to sing, pray and worship.

"In the middle of the storm, there's only one place where we truly have peace," Pastor Wes preached to them. "And that's when we place our faith and our trust in Jesus."

Indeed, this broken world will always bring its share of suffering. That's when we lean on our faith and find the light in the darkness.

"The Lord is kind. He will see us through this tragic situation," Pastor Wes Fowler wrote on Facebook. "I believe the Lord will somehow use this difficult time for His glory."

Our hearts and prayers go out to all who were impacted by the Kentucky tornado.

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"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass wither, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you." 1 Peter 1:24-25

WATCH: Church Cross Survives History Kentucky Tornado 2021

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h/t: Christian Headlines

Featured Image Credit: Youtube/Washington Post

Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!