Suffolk church has prayer service for tornado victims

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Joe Wright and dozens of others pray silently during a vigil for victims of Monday's tornado at Liberty Baptist Church in Suffolk on Wednesday. (Chris Tyree | The Virginian-Pilot)

By Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 1, 2008

SUFFOLK

Members of Liberty Baptist Church dedicated their Wednesday evening service to tornado victims.

“It’s for our members and our community,” said Duane Stokes, the chairman of deacons at the church. “We want to minister to them.”

Some members of the church lost their homes when a tornado hit Suffolk on Monday.

The Rev. David Blevins, church pastor, prayed for the victims.

“We pray for their safety, we pray for their recovery,” he said. “It could have been so much worse, and we’re grateful, Lord, for your protection. We’re grateful, Father, that you watched over us.”

About 150 children and staff were inside the church Monday, but were unharmed.

The tornado damaged the roof and ripped off the steeple. The church got power back about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Representatives from Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief came to the service to offer help.

More than 50 church members were at the service.

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