Covenant News - Covenant Churches Regrouping in Aftermath of Frances

Covenant News

Covenant Churches Regrouping in Aftermath of Frances

ORLANDO, FL (September 7, 2004) - One Evangelical Covenant church suffered some damage and a pastor's home was practically destroyed as Hurricane Frances weaved its way through most of Florida the past few days, leaving some three million people without electricity.

Frances charged into Florida's east coast early Sunday with 115 mph winds and more than 13 inches of rain, ripping off roofs, smashing boats and flooding West Palm Beach streets up to four feet deep. The hurricane did more damage to the Kennedy Space Center than any other storm in history, ripping an estimated 1,000 exterior panels off the building where spaceships are assembled, the Associated Press reported. Nine deaths in Florida were blamed on Frances.

"It's been pretty tough," said Kurt Miericke, Southeast Conference superintendent, in summing up damage from the second severe storm to batter Florida during the past four weeks. The news looking ahead isn't all that rosy, either, as Hurricane Ivan gathers steam and poses yet another threat for weary Floridians.

"The Evangelical Covenant Church of Royal Palm Beach took a pretty good hit, but their building is pretty solid and only the church foyer was damaged, along with several windows," Miericke reports. Worst hit was the Vero Beach area – "but we can't get a hold of the church there," he added.

"Personally, my house is destroyed – the roof is off my house," said pastor Thomas Chanter of First Covenant Church in Winter Park, a suburb located a few miles north of Orlando. He hopes the many rolls of tar paper will suffice for the short term. "Water from the rain has been pouring in - we've had 15 inches of rain as Hurricane Frances pounded us for two straight days."

Another pastor, Jim Black of Hope Community Covenant in Boynton Beach, reported serious damage to his home as well. Others, like pastor Dave Shaw of Community Covenant in Deland, have no power in their homes. One of his parishioners lost their house.

Covenant Village of Florida reports all fared well during the storm. To read more of their ordeal, visit Covenant Village.

One of the reasons for the level of damage was the speed with which Frances moved through the state – or better stated, the lack of speed. "Hurricane Frances holds a record for moving the slowest across Florida," Miericke notes. "It was 400 miles wide and traveled at about four mph. Hurricane Charley went over us in an hour and a half and was like a locomotive. The wind gusts (Frances) were not as bad as Charley, so the damage is less."

Another matter receiving media attention is the fine print in many property insurance policies calling for higher hurricane-related deductibles, part of the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew a few years ago. Some owners also are realizing that replacement costs far exceed the policy limits that were in place.

Continuing to do ministry in the midst of such devastating storms is understandably a challenge. The Winter Park church has had no regular worship services in three weeks, due to Charley and Frances. Seven volunteers from Faith Covenant Church in St. Petersburg helped a group from First Covenant clear a number of trees . . . so the church can be available to host services – "God willing, we're going to have church on Sunday," the pastor says.

Folks in the Bahamas continue to clear debris and restore order after Frances whipped through the islands earlier in the week "We're finally digging out," reports Covenant pastor Joshua Sands. "Frances was a pretty rough lady to tangle with." Sands reported spending his birthday during the storm "watching the trees dance in hurricane force winds and watching rain beat down the faint-hearted plants and trees. I kid you not - it was a rough and a long ride." And in a moment of spiritual reflection – and humor - Sands adds, "Well, it's not often that we see God's big wind and water show in such a spectacular manner. But it did speak of His power in a most majestic way. Hope you 'll get to experience it with me some time!"

Forecasters continue to keep a wary eye on Hurricane Ivan, a Category 3 storm entering the eastern Caribbean whose track could take it to the Sunshine State, according to the National Hurricane Center. Some predict the storm could move across central Cuba before coming ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast; however, others, including the National Hurricane Center, think Ivan's path could remain to the south, taking it across western Cuba and possibly the Gulf of Mexico without a direct hit on Florida. Fast-moving Ivan is nearing Grenada at a speed of 18 mph and packing 120 mph sustained winds.

To read earlier stories from this online Covenant news report, visit the following:

More information will be posted to this online Covenant news report as it becomes available.

Printable version of this page.