Community members and church members collaborate to clean Vinton County church damaged by flooding

Community members and church members came together to clean up Renovate Life Church of God in Vinton County after devastating flooding left the building damaged. The floodwaters reached up to four feet in some areas, destroying sound equipment, computers, and the church’s freezer and food pantry. Pastor James Dimel described the loss as significant, noting the church serves hundreds of people every Tuesday through its food pantry.

Volunteers of all ages helped sift through the damage, attempting to salvage what they could. Sixth-grade church member Keelan Lamb expressed his willingness to assist, stating, “I love the church. I respect God, and I would like to help out.” The community’s response reflects a commitment to neighbor-love and practical support, echoing the biblical call to care for one another.

Dimel has led the congregation of about 200 for the past 11 years. The church’s next service is scheduled for Wednesday night. He emphasized the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity, saying, “We have to pick up the pieces. I think when you get in a situation like this, you find out what the church is made of.”

The church is now seeking a temporary location to hold services until a more permanent solution is found. The situation highlights the challenges faced by faith communities in disaster response and the importance of local support. As the congregation rebuilds, the community’s efforts reflect a spirit of mercy and solidarity.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of religious institutions to natural disasters and the critical role of local networks in providing immediate aid. While the church faces significant losses, the outpouring of support from volunteers and neighbors demonstrates a commitment to care for one another, as seen in Galatians 6:10, which encourages doing good to all people.

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