WEST – The fertilizer plant explosion that claimed as many as 15 lives and injured more than 160 others also damaged First Baptist Church and destroyed Pastor John Crowder’s home.
Neither Crowder nor his family were at their home when it was destroyed.
Texas Baptist Men chaplains traveled to West shortly after the blast to begin ministering. TBM leaders met with Crowder to determine where relief units will best be used.
Jack Bodenhamer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Elm Mott, also is a volunteer firefighter. He and his wife were serving in West shortly after the disaster and continued to serve the next morning.
A team of Texas Baptist staff members, including Executive Director David Hardage and Disaster Recovery Director Chris Liebrum, headed to West the morning of April 18 to offer support for the pastor and the congregation, as did Tim Randolph, director of missions for the Waco Regional Baptist Association.
Nearby, Latham Springs Camp and Retreat Center has opened to house people affected by the explosion.
At Baylor University in Waco, a benefit concert by Five for Fighting has been scheduled for Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. Five for Fighting is best known for its hit song “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” which was performed at The Concert for New York City after the 9/11 attacks. The Fort Worth-based band Green River Ordinance will open the concert.
“If it were practical, I know many of our congregations, pastors, ministers and lay people would be with John and his family right now,” Liebrum said. “We are going down on behalf of more than 5,000 churches to stand with John in this trying time. We are blessed to have resources that Texas Baptists generously have given through the convention’s disaster recovery fund to assist him, his family and the church.”
As opportunities to serve through Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery become more clear, they will be posted at www.texasbaptists.org/disaster. The early need is funding that will undergird response. Donations to Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery can be made by clicking here.
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To donate solely to TBM relief efforts, click here.
For updates on needs, visit the Waco Regional Baptist Association Facebook page.
“In light of the horrible disaster …, it has been beautiful to see the body of Christ pull together to offer support,” noted Katelyn Kasper, communications administrator for the association. “The largest need right now is prayer and for people to support their friends, family, colleagues, etc. who have been affected.”
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