MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A Rutherford County ministry that helps hundreds of people in need each month has now been without a home and all donated items after a fire.
For the last 20 years, the Comfort Ye Ministry at the Heartland Baptist Church in Murfreesboro has provided medical supplies and food to people in need. Pastor Dusty Ray said items ranging from wheelchairs to crutches to gauze and adult diapers have been donated and given to people at no cost. Local hospitals have often referred people to the ministry, and it has grown significantly over the years.
“In our own little way we are trying to help a community that often gets overlooked,” said Pastor Ray. “It’s near and dear to my heart, and the church’s heart.”
Ray said Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. lightning hit a tree near the building which stores all the donations, ran over to the electrical box, and moments later, the building was consumed with smoke. While all the items inside the building were destroyed, the fire did not spread to the church.
Ray said it was devastating to see all the donated items destroyed.
“We’ve already had people call in asking for supplies, and we told them we’ve had a fire and that’s hampered our ability to help them,” said Pastor Ray. “A big part of me wants to be frustrated and throw in the towel and weep, but I know God is bigger than any fire.”
Ray said now the church has to clean up the damaged items, and find a new space to store new donations. While he said it has seemed like a big challenge, he has been determined to keep the ministry going.
“We know God is in charge,” said Pastor Ray. “That’s the great thing. We can count on him.”
The church has insurance, but Pastor Ray said he doesn’t know how much it will cover. The Comfort Ye Ministry has been closed for the time being.
If you would like to make a donation, you can call the Heartland Baptist Church at 615-890-3834. To donate to the Comfort Ye Ministry, you can also visit http://heartlandbaptist.org/comfort-ye-ministry/.
