Hurricane Helene did immense damage.
Pastor Todd Royal of Fairview Baptist Church, a rural church in western North Carolina, shared with The Christian Post the ongoing struggles faced by residents months after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Despite the challenges, Royal expressed that the storm provided an opportunity for local Christians to minister to their grieving neighbors.
Royal, who has served as pastor of the church since its establishment in 1806, mentioned that healing is slow but continues to unfold, with the community still recovering from the destruction caused by the hurricane. Fairview Baptist Church, located about 10 miles southeast of Asheville, was one of many churches that provided assistance in the aftermath. Royal highlighted that about 100 homes in the area were destroyed, and the community, once familiar, is now unrecognizable, especially after the tragedy of 11 family members losing their lives in a mudslide.
Royal emphasized the emotional toll the storm has taken, noting that many people in the Fairview community had lost everything. The church focused on providing tangible support, such as helping families set up winterized campers to replace their homes. He recalled an emotional moment with a single mother who had resorted to using leaves to protect her camper’s pipes from the cold. “She broke down in tears when we told her we would help,” Royal said. Despite the pain and devastation, Royal believes that healing will take years, but the church is committed to offering love, hope, and spiritual support to those suffering.
While Royal acknowledged that the church’s reputation in Asheville, a predominantly liberal area, has not always been positive, he believes the disaster has given Christians a unique platform to serve their community. “This tragedy has allowed the church to rise up and show the love of the Lord,” he said. He added that about 400 churches in the area have been praying for revival, and the storm has opened doors for Christians to be a source of hope and healing. The outreach has also garnered attention from non-believers who have been moved by the Christian community’s efforts to help.
When asked how he would address those angry at God for allowing such disasters, Royal’s response was straightforward: he shares the Gospel. He explained that anger toward God often comes from a misunderstanding of His nature. “Even God’s judgments are redemptive,” he said. Royal encourages those struggling with grief to look to the cross for comfort and healing, sharing that many times in his life, he too has questioned the path, only to find answers through God’s faithfulness.