Centreville Press – Reporter
Dr. Arthur Walker was preparing to deliver his last sermon as interim pastor at Brent Church. He had chosen a topic suitable not only as exhortations but for a group of high school seniors being honored at the service.
The title? “Be Thou An Example.” The thesis was taken from Paul’s exhortations to Timothy to be an example in your conduct, love, speech and faith. He never preached that sermon.
Minutes before the service was to begin, Walker found himself encouraging the people to leave the auditorium and instead of entering the pulpit, he lay sprawled on the floor of the basement as a tremendous tornado demolished the church auditorium.
According to Walker, the congregation acted calmly and with a deep measure of faith as they dug their way out of the rubble of their once beautiful sanctuary.
“Their love and compassion for each other during this trying time was a beautiful example of Christian love and faith,” Walker said. Adults gathered the children in a basement room and began singing. Others quietly embraced and offered prayers of thanks that things were not worse.
“They didn’t need to hear any sermon,” Walker said. “They were real examples in acceptance of the tragedy, thinking constructively and in faith.”