Reports on the damage to Churches of God in Florida continue to trickle in. Updates will be posted as they are received. Please check back regularly. The emotional toll on those affected has been enormous: prayers for strength, wisdom, and patience are requested.

Warner Southern College (updated 8/20/04)

With the highest elevation in Florida, Lake Wales, home to Warner Southern College and three Churches of God, suffered some of the most severe inland damage from Hurricane Charley. Polkonline.com reported that weather experts warned residents they should expect a "fifteen to twenty-mile wide F2 tornado that's going to spend two hours in your county." Reports indicate that the area experienced sustained winds of 110–130 mph for the duration of the three hours that it took the storm to move through the area. Despite the incredible devastation, lives were spared: only one death has been reported so far in Polk County.

"It looked like a war zone." Those are the words of David Reames, vice president of church relations at Warner Southern College. College administrators met Monday to evaluate the damage. Classes were scheduled to begin August 23, but as a result of the damage, the start of classes has been delayed until September 20, with new students arriving on September 16 and returning students on September 18.

Like most of eastern Polk County, the college suffered damage to many facilities and lost all utilities, including phone service, which has since been restored, though intermittent. However, electric power has not yet been restored, and may not be for another week yet. In fact, power lines are still down on campus, some with live wires. Water was restored Monday.

The Rigel Center housing offices, admissions, classrooms, and cafeteria suffered extensive water and structural damage. The roof of Turner Athletic Complex was completely blown off, causing major damage to the floors from standing water and debris. The newest building at Warner Southern, the Pontius Learning Resource Center, suffered some water damage, but apparently no structural damage. Spencer Dorm suffered major damage to its roof, as did several other small student residences. The old president's house, which has been used as a small student residence, is a total loss. HEART Village, as well as College Park and Lakeside Gardens, was also severely damaged. Damage to trees was particularly extensive, with few trees left standing.

Warner Southern College would appreciate volunteers during the day hours to assist with the clean-up effort. Volunteers are needed for debris removal on the college campus, H.E.A.R.T., and the surrounding community. Volunteers are asked to check in at the volunteer office located in Williams Hall. Volunteers from a distance who require housing can contact a coordinator at 407-929-9011 to make necessary arrangements.

Please check the Warner Southern Web site at http://www.warner.edu/ for updates. General questions may be addressed to David Reames, vice president of church relations, at 863-638-1426 or 800-949-7248.

Church Reports (as of 8/17/04)

Please note that while there are numerous Churches of God in Florida, only a limited number of damage reports have arrived at this time.

Many church buildings throughout the region suffered substantial damage. In Lake Wales, the steeple on Burns Avenue Church of God blew away, leaving an eight-foot hole in the roof. South Lake Wales Church of God experienced roof damage from the high winds and tree falls. The Florida Church of God Ministries office lost most of its roof; a team of roofers installed a temporary plastic roof yesterday. All three of these buildings have water damage from the ongoing rain.

In North Port, First Church of God was damaged and Pastor John Rathburn lost his home. The church in Fort Meade also sustained a great amount of damage. However, in Venice, very close to where Charley came ashore, First Church of God suffered no damage. Churches of God in Orlando do not appear to have been badly damaged, though they are without power, water, and phone service.

For information on the needs of church in Florida, contact Dr. Greg Wiens, state administrator, at 863-638-1134 (office), 863-585-4464 (cell), or greg@flcog.org.

Disaster Relief Contributions

Compassionate Ministries, an arm of Church of God Ministries, Inc., collects funds for disaster relief. These funds are often used for immediate relief of needs caused by major disasters. Church of God Ministries continues to monitor disaster recovery efforts and may provide additional funds for disaster relief in response to the need.

In response to the major disaster caused by Hurricane Charley in Florida, Church of God Ministries has today sent a check in the amount of $15,000 for disaster relief. This is our immediate response to meet the pressing human needs. These funds will be overseen and disbursed by Florida Church of God Ministries. Dr. Gregory Wiens is the state minister.

If you would like to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund, please send checks payable to "Church of God Ministries" to Church of God Ministries, PO Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018-2420. Please write "Disaster Relief, Project 45.04502" on your memo line.

Church of God Ministries is also collecting money specifically for repairs at Warner Southern College. If you would like to designate a contribution specifically for Warner Southern College, please send your check payable to Church of God Ministries to the address above. Please write "Warner Southern Relief, Project 99.WSC" on your memo line.

NOTE: The above summarizes information from reports by and conversations with the following individuals: Greg Wiens, Florida state minister; Don Pickett, Florida state administrator; Bill Ellis, trustee of Warner Southern College; Joe Mattox of HEART Institute; David Reames, vice president of church relations, Warner Southern College; and Esther Cottrell, vice chair of the board of trustees, Warner Southern College.