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Pastor Steven Smith discovered a tree missed by just inches a gas line that ran underneath the parsonage of Tullos First Baptist Church. Submitted photo

Pastor escapes injury, parsonage serverely damaged

January 30, 2026

By Baptist Message staff

TULLOS, La. (LBM) – Pastor Steven Smith is grateful for God’s protection after a tree fell a mere 15 feet from his bedroom in the parsonage of the Tullos First Baptist Church, Jan. 25.

Smith said he was alone, 6:30 a.m., when he was “jolted” from his bed by the sound of a crashing tree. He immediately grabbed a flashlight and found nearby gaping holes and limbs where the tree had landed, and he discovered it missed by just inches a gas line that ran underneath the house.

“As I was taking pictures of the incident there were still limbs falling from other trees all around,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “God was watching over me as always,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “I thank Him that no one was in the room that received the most damage.”

Smith and others from the church were able to remove the tree, Jan. 26, and place a tarp on the roof the following day. They are working with the insurance company about the damage claim.

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