Hurricane Milton was forecast to hit the coast of Florida as a Category 5 storm the evening of October 9, aiming unprecedentedly towards Tampa. Although many of our nation’s weather channels claimed this was an ‘unsurvivable’ storm, when Milton landed, it had miraculously diminished to a Cat 3 as it made landfall farther south in Sarasota. We thank our God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, for hearing the prayers of many saints as they sought His protection, safety, and peace for those in the destructive path of the hurricane.

One Calvary Chapel affiliate, Faith Community Christian Fellowship in Osprey, FL, sustained the most damage as their roof, partially destroyed by Hurricane Helene, was completely dismantled by Milton. They have lost everything inside except for what electronic equipment they could save. Announcing they would have service at a congregant’s home, everyone was joyfully surprised when the entire congregation showed up. “There was not enough room for them all,” remarked Curt Hencye who is pastor/director of Calvary Relief in Culpeper, VA. “So they are praying about where to meet going forward.”

Faith Community Christian Fellowship Pastor Chris Thostensen had prepared a sermon three weeks prior titled, “Moving From Disappointment”, based on Ezra Chapter 5 and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Chris encouraged his flock to not let this be a discouragement by returning to the purpose that God has called them to and the need to rebuild.

“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.” Ezra 5:11b

While many Calvary Chapels did not see the anticipated damage or flooding in St. Petersburg area, some remain without power. Many of the CCs from the Sarasota region to Ft. Myers have all verified they are without major damage as well. However, these churches are reaching out to their neighborhoods to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus as they help repair, feed, and minister to those who have needs, some even cancelling services to be able to care for to those in the immediate community.

Pastor Curt Hencye of Calvary Relief in Sarasota, FL, and his wife, Mary Jo, along with their relief truck, will be setting up Camp Calvary, their base camp, at CC Sarasota this Wednesday to help serve the needs of those affected by the hurricanes.

Curt has advocated that the greatest need is prayer; that God will direct their steps to those who need help as well as the Gospel and to provide the supplies and volunteers needed to do the work of rebuilding. Because the needs are unknown, Curt indicates that materials would be best obtained on an as-needed basis from local home improvement stores like Home Depot that are now starting to reopen.

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