Bastrop Pastor Says Fire Destroyed Homes Will Strengthen Church's Faith
A Texas Southern Baptist pastor who lost his home in the wildfires views the destruction as an opportunity for him and church members to witness to the community about their unshakable faith and dependence on God.
Pastor Cody Whitfill, of River Valley Christian Fellowship in Bastrop, is a living example of his recent sermon about suffering on behalf of Christ and fully relying on him.
He posted a notice in the church’s bulletin before the fires that challenged the congregation to be grateful for God’s blessings saying, “A spouse, kids, job and a roof over your head,” according to the Southern Baptist Texan.
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At least 11 families from Whitfill’s church and 20 more families from a sister Southern Baptist church, First Baptist Church of Bastrop, lost their homes in fires that spread across Bastrop county Labor Day weekend and continued to burn days after.
Whitfill and many others were forced to evacuate their homes Sept. 4. Church members spent the next two days preparing thousands of hamburgers and tacos for relief workers fighting against what has been described as the most devastating wildfire in the state’s history.
The pastor was delivering meals when he learned the fire had shifted within a half mile of his house, the Texan reported. By the morning of Sept. 6, Whitfill was standing on his property looking at what remained-- ashes.
Whitfill tweeted Sept. 6, “Our home was completely burned but our faith and family are strong. Thank you Jesus for River Valley.”
The pastor’s sermon in the recent weeks has focused on “suffering well for Christ,” the Texan reported.
“When I stand up and preach next Sunday, the message will be the same -- that Christ really is our hope,” Whitfill said, according to the Texan. “But I wonder how well that would have stuck had we not gone through this with people who had lost everything in the same way. It will help our witness.”
