Posted: 4/18/08
| Only the doors were left standing after a tornado touched down in Alvarado, destroying the tent where Cowboy Way Church had been meeting. The congregation met three days after the storm for worship under clear blue skies. |
Tornado destroys Alvarado church’s
meeting place, but worshippers still gather
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
ALVARADO—One Sunday, the chairs at Cowboy Way Church were arranged as usual, under the tent where the western-heritage church normally meets.
The next Sunday, Pastor Dan Haby welcomed worshippers to take as seat in “one of the most beautiful sanctuaries God could create”—under clear blue skies.
The church worshipped without walls or roof three days after a tornado destroyed the tent where it met, along with its sound equipment and offices
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| Chairs were scattered and the tent destroyed when a tornado hit the tent structure used by Cowboy Way Church in Alvarado. |
The doors, with frames cemented into place, were the only remnant of what used to be.
“It literally ripped (the tent) in places, tore it up, threw it places, wadded it up like you’ve never seen,” Haby said.
The situation didn’t dampen the congregation’s spirits, he noted.
About 105 people gathered to worship on the Sunday following the tornado. Church members’ spirits were strong, as is their determination to move forward in ministry, Haby added. The church is looking into a variety of rebuilding options.
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