Seed to the Sower: Helping in Ashe County
The first story in the series "Seed to the Sower" shares how we can help those in the Ashe County area. Two pastors, Chris Goforth and Jackie Stone and through their ministries and churches are helping to provide the needs of those in their small communities along with restoring hope to those who lost so much during Hurricane Helene. If you feel lead in your heart to help, I know your time and generous donations will be greatly appreciated.
Chris Goforth, Pastor of Phoenix Baptist Church, Lansing, NC. Chris Goforth Ministries
How long have you been the pastor at Phoenix Baptist Church?
I have been pastoring Phoenix for 2 1/2 years.
The community surrounding the church--describe the area and the size of your congregation
Phoenix is a small, rural church in northwestern Ashe County located between the towns of Warrensville and Lansing. Prior to the storm, our average attendance was approximately 20.
What needs did you see before the focus became more on the hurricane?
Due to the terrain, there are portions of Northwestern Ashe County that are a 45 minute drive to downtown West Jefferson. Healthcare has been a need in the area for over 20 years when a doctor in Lansing retired from practicing medicine.
How has the focus of your ministry in your area changed since the hurricane?
We have opened our doors as a supply distribution hub for the area. God has placed just the right people in our path at just the right time for His work to be accomplished. As I mentioned, our congregation is very small but people have volunteered their time and talents and we have been able to minister to over 1000 families over the past couple months. We are in process of converting a room in our facility to house a permanent food bank in the area.
Did many of your members have damage or loss?
Most all of our members suffered loss of some kind. Two families homes have totally been gutted and need rebuilding. Several families lost most all of their material possessions that were stored in their basements. The week after the flood, my wife and I sat with a widow as she went through all of her family photos that had been destroyed by the water intrusion in her home. It was an extremely emotional time. Another family was in process of building a new home and had put all their furniture, appliances, and possessions in the basement of their business and everything was totally destroyed. Another family stayed in their home as the flood waters rose. The lady said the water level went from floor level to knee high in 30 seconds. She didn’t have time to escape with her handicapped husband so she began praying that the water would recede. God answered her prayer and they survived but their home is destroyed.
How do you see your current needs going forward? Biggest need and obstacle? How can people in Wilkes and surrounding areas help you?
Winters are brutal in Ashe County. We have already experienced a heavy snow and period of lows dropping into the teens. Heating sources such as propane and electric heaters are needed. Fuel such as propane and kerosene are huge needs community wide. Rebuilding projects are more specific to each home but if you are experienced in construction fields there is plenty of work to be done.
We can always use volunteers! God has opened a door to establish Chris Goforth Ministries Inc. a 501(c)(3) corporation based in North Wilkesboro. We are utilizing the former Vannoy & Lankford Plumbing buildings at 826 Suncrest Orchard Road. We are accept donations there on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11-4. We would like to grow our volunteer base to be able to be open everyday. We can also use volunteers at Phoenix as well, just being there to listen and pray with someone who has gone through so much tragedy and loss usually leads to blessing and fulfillment.
Have you seen an increase in people coming to worship services because of the hurricane?
We have seen an increase in church attendance since the storm, some Sundays our worship attendance has almost doubled from before the storm. We are also in process of establishing an outreach team to follow up with these families and hopefully assimilate them into the church. The most important thing someone can give is their prayers. Pray for God to continue to provide for these dear families and our church as we minister to them in the name of Jesus Christ.
To learn more about how you can help:
Chris Goforth
Phoenix Baptist Church
Chris Goforth Ministries, Inc.
828-493-9009
Jackie Stone, Pastor of Warrensville Baptist Church. Jackie Stone Ministries.
How long have you been the pastor at Warrensville Baptist Church?
Almost three years now.
The community surrounding the church--describe the area and the size of your congregation Warrensville is a very low population and quite community. We only have a Dollar General, Pharmacy and volunteer fire department. We run around 70 to 80 in our congregation on Sunday mornings.
What needs did you see and focus on before the hurricane?
Our focus was on helping families in our western part of Ashe county with a food pantry we have through Second Harvest Food Bank. Supplying around 60 families each month
How has the focus of your ministry in your area changed since the hurricane?
We are working still with food and supplies to survive with campers, heaters and clothing.
Did many of your members have damage or loss?
All of my members are involved somehow with damage. We lost 10 homes beside our church.
How do you see your current needs going forward? Biggest need and obstacle?
Biggest (is) putting families in campers and helping rebuild back their existing homes. Obstacles are money and support from our government.
How can people in Wilkes and surrounding areas help you?
A lot of people from Wilkes have helped out with supplies and continue to help. Helping people with kids.
Can you share one or two stories of people coming for help during this time that stand out to you? Any one more memorable?
Fairplains Baptist Church came first thing with supplies and generators so we could get our fellowship hall going to help our community. So many churches from Florida to Portland Maine to Texas Oklahoma it was unreal at the outpouring we received from different states. I would pray about items we needed and that week they would show up from people I have never met.
Have you seen an increase in people coming to church because of the hurricane?
Yes our church has been full and also have been getting volunteers that have come into help.
To learn more about how you can help:
Jackie Stone
Warrensville Baptist Church
Jackie & Tina Stone
336-957-1036
A special thank you to Chris Goforth
and
Jackie and Tina Stone
for sharing their hearts
and serving others.
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