When South Joplin Christian Church heard about the building efforts for Real Faith Christian Church, they knew it was an opportunity for them to give back.
On May 22, 2011, and EF5 multi-vortex tornado struck Joplin, Missouri. Peaking at estimated 250 mph winds, the twister destroyed roughly 2,000 buildings and 7,000 homes, including the South Joplin Christian Church building. As recovery efforts began, people arrived from all over the country. South Joplin CC became a volunteer hub as their church and their city were rebuilt.
“Our congregation experienced the love of so many people,” Minister of Mission and Outreach Kathryn Wilson said. “We saw Christ’s love working through total strangers.”
Their experience following the 2011 tornado generated a “give back feeling” within the congregation. When they heard the story of Real Faith, South Joplin saw a bit of themselves in the Mississippi congregation’s story. It may not have been due to a natural disaster, but circumstances beyond the congregation’s control had wreaked havoc on the church. SJCC decided this was an opportunity to step out in faith and offer their time, talents, and treasures to Real Faith.
After the 2011 tornado, South Joplin had done some of their own carpentry work for their rebuilding effort, so it seemed a natural fit to provide custom-made cabinets. The congregation began fundraising for materials by “selling” inches or feet of cabinet wood to members, family, friends, and other Disciples congregations with which they had a relationship. When the local supplier heard about the project, the congregation was given a substantial discount, so the money they had raised with their fundraiser was enough to get the cabinets built. Next, it was a matter of getting the cabinets built!
Volunteers of all skill levels gathered in the workshop of a South Joplin Christian Church family. Together they began sawing, and nailing, and crafting the cabinets. The congregation embraced the project, allowing the Spirit of Generosity and Hospitality to guide them through the process of custom making cabinetry for another Disciples congregation in need.
When everything was ready, the local Eagle Scouts came to the woodshop to wrap and load the cabinets for their journey to Mississippi. Transportation had been offered by a member of the congregation who had a reliable trailer he normally used to take his classic cars to shows across the country. The cabinets arrived in Clarksdale first, but a mission team from South Joplin followed shortly after.
South Joplin Christian Church wanted to see the project completely through, so they worked alongside members of Real Faith Christian Church and Disciples Volunteering to get the custom-made cabinets installed. From beginning to end, the congregation of SJCC put 3,000 hours of love and labor into building and installing the cabinets.
“It was a very good mission experience,” Wilson said. “It took a lot of prayer, a lot of encouragement, and a lot of coming together, but it was a truly positive experience for the congregation.”