Alabama Church Worships in Pizza Restaurant
The following is a transcript of a television news report this week from ABC-affiliate WTVC in Chattanooga, Tennessee:
After tornadoes ripped through our area last November, some places are still working to rebuild.
Rosalie, Alabama is one of many places hit by tornadoes last year. Three people died when an EF-2 tornado touched down in the small town.
It was after midnight on November 30, when Pastor Al Johnson got the news about his church – Rosalie Church of God.
“He said it’s completely destroyed. If I remember right the word he used was gone,” said Johnson.
Johnson says it was an overwhelming feeling, but seeing the destruction in person was even worse.
“That’s enough to wake a pastor up,” Johnson said.
The days following the tornado, Johnson had a big decision to make – close the church for good or find somewhere to lead the 20 members each Sunday.
As fate would have it, he ran into Don Berninger, the owner of the pizza place just feet away from where the church once stood.
“I said, ‘would you be interested in renting us your building since you’re not open on Sunday,'” Johnson asked?
“So, I gave him a key and now they’ve had service here every Sunday and they’re just a great bunch of people. I’m glad I have a building for them,” said Berninger.
Bernie’s Place has been open in Rosalie less than a year. But, the mark they’ve made on the community, is something that will last forever
.
“They’re good people and I was glad I could help them,” added Berninger.
“I think his kindness to us has helped his business,” said Johnson.
Berninger says it has, and if anyone has learned anything after seeing the destruction, Johnson hopes it’s this.
“It’s been said the church was destroyed. I’d like to correct that a little. Our building was destroyed. The church is the people and the church is still intact,” Johnson said.
Pastor Johnson says they hope to have the church reopened sometime in June.
Two other churches were also destroyed in Rosalie. Those two are also still trying to rebuild.
(Source: newschannel9.com)
