By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALBANY – Jase Shawley had just wrapped up a sermon to 350 evacuees from the historic flooding in southern Louisiana when he was approached by a church member who passed along a request from Cindy, a nearly-blind woman and an avowed atheist.
“She really wants to speak with you about her salvation,” the Bethlehem Baptist Church student minister was told.
Later that Aug. 14 afternoon, Shawley shared with her the basic plan of salvation and afterward Cindy had reason not only to celebrate having survived the storm, but also being rescued by Christ.
“Cindy told me she didn’t know what had happened but it was something like she had never felt before,” Shawley said. “She told me she had grown up being taught God didn’t exist. But now her heart was telling her He was real.
“Watching somebody who literally had nothing to do with any form of church or praying until that morning and then watching her say ‘Lord I need you’ just hours later was beautiful.”
But Cindy’s salvation is not the only miracle God has performed at Bethlehem Baptist Church as a result of the storm.
Floodwaters rapidly rose in the church parking Aug. 12, until Shawley asked God to intervene. Afterward, the waterline crept within 2 feet of the back door of the building where evacuees were being housed, but no further.
For the next several days, the church was immersed in the ministry of feeding evacuees and sharing with them the love of Christ. It also influenced the community as a hub of service for volunteers such as the local high school football team.
Moreover, its impact continued to be felt even after the shelter closed Aug. 19, particularly when a number of the evacuees returned for Sunday morning worship services Aug. 21, including some who came forward during the altar call.
“It was beautiful to see 11 people come down and say they are giving their lives to Christ,” Shawley said. “As much as it was a blessing for them, it was a blessing for us. This was something our church needed to see, that He can move mountains.
“God has a plan and purpose for this church,” he continued. “For seven days straight, this church was on mission and still are. But for that week, these tireless church members were helping keep this running. He stopped the water so 350 people could find hope here and some even found Jesus. We were truly the body of Christ to multitudes who needed a touch of His hand.”
