MEADVILLE — Lance Moak, pastor of O’Zion Baptist Church in Franklin County, said the congregation will likely hold a prayer service at the church’s campus followed by worship at a member’s home Sunday as they did last weekend. 

Last Saturday, the O’Zion Baptist Church, located at 4775 Berrytown Road, Meadville, was destroyed by an EF-3 tornado according to the National Weather Service. Two people had taken shelter in a bathroom of the church and were able to ride out the storm there. They were unharmed.

“When you climb up and look, the only place you can clearly see the floor is the place where the two individuals had hunkered down,” Pastor Lance Moak told The Daily Leader earlier this week. “There is no debris in the area where they were at.”

Built in 1917, the church was destroyed by a tornado May 5, 1934, as well. The church members met outside under a tree for services the following Sunday. On Sunday, Dec. 29, members met outside the rubble and worshiped together once again, grateful that no one lost their lives.

He explained the church could be meeting in a home for the foreseeable future which will mirror their study of the early church in Acts. Christians first met in homes, Moak stated. 

Moak said the church has been blessed in the outpouring of support this week. He said the church has since set up a GoFundMe to raise donations to rebuild the church. Of the $35,000 goal, around $30,168 has been donated. Additionally, Samaritan’s Purse is extending a $300,000 grant to the church to help them rebuild, Moak said. 

He explained the church had insurance but was underinsured. 

“It has blown our minds at how much people have reached out and donated. The comments with the donations have truly been a blessing,” Moak said. “With what we are getting in donations and the grant it should allow us to completely rebuild and refurbish the church.”

Almost a week after the destructive tornado demolished the O’Zion Baptist Church, Moak said they had received help from volunteers to clear the debris. 

“Our minister of music, her two sons worked 10 hours Monday and Tuesday and eight hours Wednesday to clear the debris off of the slab. We had someone offer to haul the debris away,” Moak said. “Once we have the slab cleared we can make assessments for what is next. We want to maximize our space. 

Old checks kept in a Church closest were scattered across Mississippi, one was found in the yard of former MDWFP alligator man Ricky Flynt. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and lives in Brandon. Others were found as far away as Florence and Pisgah. 

Moak said some of the checks appeared to have been made out to former pastors at the church who had connections to his family and his pastoral ministry. 

He again expressed appreciation for the donations, phone calls, offers of help and prayers. 

“We are super appreciative as we have gone through the storm and how blessed we have been on the other side,” Moak said. “We continue to trust in God and we see God continuing to provide.”