By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
MADISONVILLE – Like a good shepherd, Lane Corley spent the majority of the weekend tending to his flock including helping his worship leader and his family to find shelter after they were rescued by the Louisiana National Guard.
One of four families from the Bridge Church in Madisonville who were trapped in their homes by rapidly rising water, Will and Charity Phillips, along with their newborn baby and four-year-old twins, were rescued by one of the Guard’s 5-ton trucks Sunday morning.
They were taken to a local restaurant, which was situated on higher ground, until Corley was able to reach them and take them to his home.
A view of a flooded street where the Phillips family live. Lane Corley photo
The Phillips will remain with Corley until the floodwaters recede.
Corley, who serves as pastor of the Bridge Church as well as LBC church planning strategist, is thankful all four families were able to make it out unharmed. Still, he realizes they and others in south Louisiana have a long road ahead to recovery.
“There are so many neighborhoods, homes and businesses affected by this flood, including East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana’s most populated,” Corley said. “We’ve got a lot of work and a great opportunity to let our ‘light shine before men’ ahead of us in south Louisiana.”
National Guardsmen load the Phillips family from the Bridge Church in Madisonville on a truck to evacuate. Lane Corley photo
