In Myrtle Beach, their
faith gets a fiery challenge
By Edward Terry, The Layman, April 24, 2009
Editor’s note: This story originally was published April 23, but was updated April 24 as new information became available.
As smoke and ash were rising from the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina Wednesday and Thursday, so were the prayers of the faithful. Myrtle Beach area wildfire
This image, posted with permission from photographer Andrew T. Garcia, was taken near a church in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and posted to flickr.com on Thursday.
The Rev. Gary Lowe’s prayers for Matt were high on the list. Matt is a South Carolina Forestry firefighter battling the destructive wildfires and a member of Lowe’s congregation. Luckily no one else from Celebration Presbyterian Church on Carolina Forest Road in Myrtle Beach is in harm’s way at this time, the minister said.
But that can all change in an instant with a shift in the strong coastal winds. That worry extends to the home of the small congregation, located adjacent to a pine forest that is prone to wildfires. Lowe describes the area around the church as a “tinderbox” that has experienced similar kinds of fires before.
“Keep us in your prayers,” he said. “We haven’t had any members who have lost homes or businesses. But we don’t know what tomorrow brings.”
According to various reports, a coastal wildfire that began Wednesday afternoon west of Myrtle Beach continued to spread Thursday toward some of South Carolina’s busiest tourist areas. As of Friday, the Myrtle Beach Sun News was reporting that approximately 69 homes have been destroyed, 100 more damaged and 20,000 acres of land consumed since the fire began. Shelters have opened across the area, with fires destroying homes and businesses along busy stretches like Highway 22 and Highway 90. The fire is more than 50 percent contained, according to reports, but still could burn several more days. As it shifted northward Friday, homes in the Poplar community were in its path.
As damage from and the cost of the fire became apparent Friday morning, members of First Presbyterian Church on N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, began mobilizing. Church leaders sent out an e-mail asking that members who want to help donate bottled drinks, clothes and money to local aid efforts. It was a busy morning for First Presbyterian administrative assistant Vickie Moore. She fielded several early calls and knew of several church members pitching in at the Barefoot Landing aid station.
No one from First Presbyterian had been impacted by the fire as of Friday morning, Moore said, but it wasn’t for a lack of danger.
“We were worried about all of our people, four in particular,” she said. “We have church members who live in Grand Dunes. Their house is OK but the two houses next to them are gone.”
Moore said she was amazed at how the church and the community reacted to the sudden need. In addition to individual donations, many church members also opened their homes and businesses to the needy.
Only a few miles from the hot zone just west of North Myrtle Beach – close enough to see the smoke – Celebration Presbyterian Church can’t do much more than wait to see what happens next. Lowe spent much of Thursday calling congregation members to make sure everyone was OK. Being too close to the fire to serve as an official shelter to the community, the church is providing a safe haven for some of its members. Lowe said some members are at the church waiting out the wildfire, which is close to their homes, just to be safe.
Faith Presbyterian Church, also located in Myrtle Beach, is far enough away from the fire that it’s in no danger, but some members are hoping to show their Christian love for those who aren’t as lucky.
“One person has offered her home. It sleeps 12,” church employee Phyllis Beal said of a parishioner’s early call to the church offering help.
That generous spirit has been common as the fires raged north and west of the well known resort community. Several churches, hotels, restaurants and individuals have opened their doors to evacuees and the homeless.
For now, Lowe and his congregation will continue to wait. They’ll be watching news reports on the fire to make sure their homes and church are safe, but also for opportunities to reach out to the community once the flames die down.
“We have people who are giving and resourceful,” he said. “I’m sure we will be involved if there are needs in the community.”