COLLINSVILLE — Around 600 people came home last Sunday.

That was the feeling of the congregation at Collinsville First Baptist Church as members gathered to celebrate for the first time in their new building, filling the building almost to capacity. 

Ever since an EF-2 tornado ripped through the community in February 2016, destroying their church, the congregation of nearly 600 has met elsewhere for services.

And, although rebuilding has been a challenge, First Baptist Pastor Wade Ricks said God has proved himself over and over again. 

“You are not sure what He is going to do, or where He is going to take you in this thing, and you only see it after the fact,” Ricks said before the service. “But, He truly has provided everything we have needed along the way, and all that we have now.”

Pastor of Ministries Paul Sizemore joined the church a few weeks ago, but has seen how God has blessed the congregation.

“They have stayed unified and God has worked with the pastor and leadership of this church to hold things together,” Sizemore said. “The church has been in a different location for nearly two years. The Lord has blessed in so many ways.”

A new tool

Songs of praise and worship echoed throughout the sanctuary last Sunday as worshippers entered with excitement and joy.

Church member Penny Robinson was one of those celebrating. She described the church as a new tool.

“We have a new tool and it is up to us to use it as a tool for Christ, versus just coming in and enjoying a beautiful new building,” Robinson said. “I’ve never built a new home, but I imagine this to be even better. People say it was just a building the tornado destroyed, but everybody likes a home to go home to. That’s what our church building is. It’s our church family’s home.”

Robinson said even though her faith was tested, God showed His love through others as a witness.

“I know we did lose some members, but we gained some, too,” Robinson said. “We met at 8:15 a.m. at a different church building. Faith Baptist was a wonderful body of believers who opened their building up to us and gave us free rein to use as we needed.

“They included us as part of them. They were a wonderful witness to us, too.”

Dylan Lewis, who was 13 when the tornado hit, said at first the loss was heartbreaking – but not last Sunday.

“Today is a great feeling, going from two years of having no building to having this,” Lewis said. “Who knew that a tornado could end up as good as it did. It was heartbreaking, but having faith, seeing how God can move, and the amazing things he can do has kept my faith strong.”

Making a difference

As Ricks prayed, his prayer was for God to help the church members not become complacent and forget what happened.

“All of this was not so we could have a nice building and be comfortable,” Ricks said. “It was so we can reach our friends and co-workers and invite them to come to Christ. We want to make a difference right here in this community.”

During the worship, one praise song, “Say Amen”, seemed to describe what was in the heart of the congregation as they joined together in a song of thankfulness.

This life is a journey we walk by faith and there will always be the mountains in our way, but right here in this moment, may our strength be renewed as we recall what God has done and how we’ve seen Him move.

An opening for outreach

Chris Cornett, a deacon at the church, said Sunday served two purposes —  it helped the members find closure after the storm, but more importantly, it allowed them to start a new chapter.

“It is an opening for us to be an outreach to the community, but also to do what God’s will is for us – that’s what it’s all about,” Cornett said. “This is just a piece of the puzzle for reaching others and bringing the message of God to this community.”

The $6.5 million, 42,000-square-foot facility will seat around 650 on the floor and about 65 in the choir.

As Ricks told The Meridian Star two years ago: “If we have learned one thing through this, it’s that God is saying, ‘Just trust me.’ “You have to trust him – he doesn’t tell you the whole story, he just gives you the next step. God has been faithful to us through this whole ordeal. He keeps providing and He is the Jehovah Jireh – God our Provider.

“Just keep trusting and have faith.”

Their faith continues on Easter Sunday, with a Bible study at 9 a.m. and a worship service at 10:15 a.m.