Storm Hero: Pastor Helps Victims Through Church

The tornadoes of April 27th were a reminder of the deadly power of nature.  But they've also shown us the power of the human spirit.  Pastor Franky Ridley and his wife Stacey are a true example of that.  They decided they were going to use their church as not just a headquarters for relief, but a place for peace.  Over the past few months, they have done just that, helping victims in every way possible.

Pastor Ridley has been praying for the Cherokee Valley community for nine and a half years.  But after the tornadoes wiped out nearly 80 homes in tthe area, Ridley and his small baptist church took on a new role.  "We figured out that service is not about the time you meet, but how you help the community, so we've had to change our way of thinking and I think the community has changed their way of thinking about the church through this."

Pastor Ridley and his wife Stacey opened a free shop right in the back of the building.  They gave out canned goods, supplies, medicine and even gift cards to storm victims.  They even gave their own money those in need, like Keith Houston.  "He's opened the doors of that church, opened his heart, me personally, Pastor Ridley took money out of his own wallet and gave it to me."

And Houston has seen Pastor Ridley help others, like paying the deposit and rent on a new place to live for those who lost their homes.  "It's very special because people like Pastor Ridley and his family, you just don't find people like that in this world anymore."

Pastor Ridley says they've been able to use their church and their faith to reach out to those in need, in many ways.  "It's not what you give them, but them knowing someone cares that they've lost everything, and will be there to cry with them and be there to laugh with them."

Stacey adds, "These people have the least, they've lost everything, and they don't come in here to be preached at, they want to be loved on."

Since the storms, the pews have filled, Pastor Ridley says their congregation has doubled.  "There's not anything that works like helping someone and showing them you love them, we're not doing it for the numbers, we're doing it because it's the right thing to do."

But he doesn't want any glory, he just wants the needs of all those around him, met.

The Ridleys say their next step is to help victims get moved into their new homes, and provide kitchen supplies and furniture.

If you want to see our previous “Storm Heroes” videos, CLICK HERE.