Greensburg remembers tornado with Sunday service

May 06, 2012|Melissa Scheffler | KWCh 12 Eyewitness News

(GREENSBURH, Kan.) — The people of Greensburg came together Sunday for a community worship service. They remembered the EF 5 tornado's destructive force that leveled the town five years ago.

"Five years ago, we didn't have the opportunity to meet like this,” a preacher said.

That’s because five years ago, following the aftermath of an EF 5 tornado, the Greensburg community had to wait a week to come together like this.

"This really is a nod to that and in remembrance of that service, for all of us to gather as a community. And this, five years later, to celebrate five years later as a group everything we've been able to accomplish,” resident Stacey Barnes said.

About 200 people gathered their lawn chairs. They met in downtown Greensburg for Sunday's community worship service.

“What a great, great time it is to be together, unified for the voice of God today. Amen,” a preacher said.

The hour-long service was a time for celebration.

"The recovery of this community is truly a wonder, isn't it? The money that has flowed in to rebuild is a wonder, unmatched in any community since then,” a preacher said.

And, it was a time to reflect.

"My youngest daughter and I were at home five years ago when the tornado came through. And, so we have an even greater appreciation of how we believe God has blessed us in our rebuilding efforts,” former State Treasurer and Greensburg resident Dennis McKinney said.

McKinney says from May 4, 2007 to today... the community has never lost its faith.

"A lot of us sensed God was with us during the tornado and has blessed our work since then. Like the pastor said today, that has been our true source of our strength in rebuilding,” McKinney said.

Not only is that Sunday's message for Greensburg. But McKinney says he hopes other communities recovering from tornadoes take that lesson with them too.

"The fact that we can tell about surviving such awesome destructive power, that's a reason to praise God for His power,” the preacher said.

Reporter VideoThe people of Greensburg came together Sunday for a community worship service. They remembered the EF 5 tornado's destructive force that leveled the town five years ago.

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