Thank you to the whole community

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July 18, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sat Jul 18, 2009, 11:36 PM CDT

Though the dust has not yet settled from last Sunday’s bus accident involving 23 youth and adults from the church I pastor, I want to say thank you to your whole community. On behalf of the entire body of First Baptist Church of Shreveport, La., let me pay tribute to you for the love you have shown and the care you have provided.

You leaped into action when news of the accident arrived. Emergency responders arrived on the scene within minutes. With skill and dispatch you treated the injured and hurried them on their way to hospitals. At three local hospitals you began putting broken people back together again while offering comfort and reassurance to those traumatized by the tragedy.

From across the community you came to befriend strangers in need, many of them youth, just beyond childhood. Those involved in the accident and their families who rushed to their side have returned to Shreveport with poignant stories of your kindness and compassion.

You reached out to us in Shreveport as well. Understanding the crisis this would create back home, you established a quick communication line, feeding us information about our loved ones and helping us begin to sort out how we needed to act and pray.

You continued your care beyond the first rush of excitement. You provided food, hospitality, and pastoral care to those who remained in the hospital. Even as I write, members of your community are providing practical assistance to the two who remain hospitalized at Rush Foundation Hospital (If current plans prevail, these two will be transferred over the weekend to health settings in Shreveport).

I want to say a special word of thanks to the churches of Meridian. With unmistakable clarity, you have demonstrated that faith isn’t just about going to church; it’s about being the Church. You put the love of Christ into action in life-transforming ways.

We ask those of you who are people of faith to keep praying for those who will be healing physically and emotionally for months to come. We especially ask you to pray for Maggie Lee Henson, the daughter of our Associate Pastor, who remains in critical condition at University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.

Meridian and surrounding communities: We will never be able to repay you for what you have done. All we can do is say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. God bless you all in the days ahead!

Dr. Greg Hunt

Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church

Shreveport, LA

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