VAN BUREN, Mo. - Pastor Ron Robinson of First Baptist Church said he never would have believed his church would flood.
"Someone said they heard how horrible it was, what happened to our church," said Robinson, who has led the congregation for 10 years. "We need to clarify it's horrible what happened to our church building, but the church is still alive and well and we're out here doing good work."
Robinson said he and his congregation moved everything out of the damaged church building, but that most of their time has been spent out in the community.
"We've got a place to worship, they don't have a place to live," he continued. "We were able to help 15 families get their stuff out, took their dry wall down, insulation down, to get it to basically studs.
"We were able to help three businesses so far, and we still have a list of about six or eight families who have asked us for help so hopefully we're able to get to everyone by the end of the week."
Robinson said Sunday's services were held in an unfinished recreational facility next door. The building is currently under construction and will serve multiple purposes for the church after completion, but for now it's serving as a temporary home for Sunday worship.
Robinson said the efforts to help the community have been planned to extend beyond the capacity of visiting organizations.
"In a few weeks the Red Cross will be out of here and disaster relief will be gone and folks will start trying to put their lives back together. We're going to set up a tent out here where folks can come and get couches and television sets and pictures," Robinson said. "It's one thing to get the house back together but it's another to make it a home and we're here to help with that."
Robinson said his congregation will continue to meet in the rec building until a plan is devised regarding the former worship hall, but until then getting the community back on its feet is his primary goal.