First Presbyterian Church in Rogers, pastored by Rev. John Arnold, was a hub of activity and support for the local community. With a bustling preschool and close ties to Helping Hands Ministry, the church played a vital role in providing hunger relief and various assistance programs.

In May, a powerful tornado swept through Northwest Arkansas, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm caused significant damage to the church, including downed trees and a tilted steeple, which temporarily shut down the preschool. The community faced immediate needs for cleanup, shelter, and supplies.  Despite the chaos, the community’s response was immediate and heartwarming. “We had 35 people show up for the initial cleanup,” Rev. John recounted. “Twelve from our church, twelve from First Presbyterian Springdale, and ten from the preschool staff. It was fantastic.”

The importance of partnerships extended beyond immediate disaster response. The church already had a close relationship with Helping Hands Ministry, a non-profit ministry that provides hunger relief, affordable shopping in their thrift store, and various assistance programs. 

The Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center, with its partnership with Church World Service (CWS) and the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), provided over 4,000 lbs of disaster relief kits to the area within a week. These kits were distributed to various locations, including First Presbyterian Church in Rogers. The congregation saw an opportunity to get disaster kits in the hands of those who needed them most. “We wanted to get kits into the community, so we asked Helping Hands if they would distribute them,” John explained. “People were in need and asking for help.”

Rev. John’s journey to aid his congregation and community led to an unexpected encounter that highlighted the power of relational ministry. “I was driving to Ferncliff to help train camp staff and ran out of gas on the way,” he said, laughing. Stranded, he began walking with a gas can when he was picked up by a kind stranger and taken to a nearby gas station. At the pump, he met a young woman named Andrea Shaw, who mentioned that her husband, Daniel, was in Rogers doing disaster response work. “I said, ‘If your husband needs any help, let me know.’ She said, ‘If you know anyone who needs tree help, let me know,'” John recalled.

This chance meeting turned into a significant blessing for the church and the community. Team Whimsy, the disaster response ministry led by Daniel Shaw, brought their team from Conway and helped remove trees and debris from affected areas. “Her husband and his team were amazing. They came out and helped the entire Turtle Creek neighborhood. They moved mountains, or in this case, trees.”

Thanks to the combined efforts of these organizations and volunteers, the community is on the path to recovery. The church has stabilized and tarped its damaged areas, and with ongoing support, they are hopeful for the future. “Seeing our community come together gives me hope,” Rev. John shared. “We’re exploring a tree giveaway to help with the environmental impact and recovery.”

This story highlights the value of relational ministry and the serendipitous ways God works in our lives. Sometimes we are the ones in need, like Pastor John and the community of Rogers, and we must be open to receiving gifts and support from others, such as Team Whimsy, Ferncliff, and PDA. Other times, we are the ones providing support, as also seen with the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Rogers as they supported their community in the days and weeks after the tornado. It is through both giving and receiving that deep bonds of community and meaningful relationships are formed.  

We are grateful that Ferncliff’s disaster assistance ministry has been able to contribute to the recovery process of the community, demonstrating the power of coming together in times of need. Just as Pastor John and his congregation helped those in their community and received help from Ferncliff, PDA, and Team Whimsy, we ask for your support to continue providing aid to those in need, during their time of need.

For more information about our mission and how you can support Ferncliff’s disaster assistance ministry, contact Emily at emily@ferncliff.org!