• Shelley Henderson

Faith as High as a Mountain in Western North Carolina

Pensacola, NC (November 7, 2024)--The small mountain town of Pensacola, North Carolina, was devastated by flash flooding from Hurricane Helene. In just hours, homes were swallowed by the rising waters, and lives were upended. Within days of the storm, residents and volunteers united to rebuild and restore their community.

Camp Miller, near the Fire Station in Pensacola, is the heart of the rebuilding efforts. It serves as a rallying point for volunteers and a lifeline for residents, offering essential services such as hot meals, showers, and more. The Salvation Army had the privilege to provide meals and Emotional and Spiritual Care at Camp Miller, catering to people displaced by the disaster and the dedicated volunteers working tirelessly to restore the community.

Every Sunday, rows of pews are draped in quilts and carefully carried out of the church, which was damaged in the flood. A wooden pulpit is placed before the pews, with a large picture of Jesus resting at its base. Nearby, two planks nailed together form a cross. Beneath the cross, letters, photos, and personal mementos create a makeshift memorial for those lost in the storm.

This place, though weathered, is Holy Ground.

On Sunday, after a day of service at Camp Miller, Salvation Army workers were invited to stay for the evening worship service. That day, the team served over 350 meals and prayed with 40 people. As the sun sank behind the mountains, they sat in the pews watching the sunset while strains of How Great Thou Art filled the air. The peace and serenity of the evening stood in contrast to the busyness of the day. The hectic pace of the physical restoration of the community led to the quiet, healing restoration of the spirit.

The evening’s message based on 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you – was a fitting reminder of God's love. Afterward, survivors and volunteers were invited to share words of praise.

These are their words of faith, hope, and love:

•  I am grateful. I lost my house, but I have my life.
• I have breath in my body, air in my lungs, and I have God.
• God is good. I see His goodness in the volunteers who have come to help and how our nation has united to serve Western North Carolina.
• I don't know where I will live, but I am thankful to be alive and able to serve others.
• We are thankful for the outpouring of help and support we’ve received.
• God looks after the lilies and the birds. He loves us so much; He is looking after us, too.

The evening worship ended with Amazing Grace, the familiar words punctuating the message of God’s grace, love, and mercy. Spirits were restored that evening and ready for another day of the physical restoration of the Holy Ground on which the community stood.

Throughout Western North Carolina, many communities stand on Holy Ground, where people come together to restore what was broken and praise God for their blessings. The Salvation Army and other organizations stand, ready to provide support. The work ahead is long, but they are not alone. God and their nation stand behind them.

Read more about The Salvation Army’s service in Pensacola here.