A church affected by the tornado on March 31 of last year receives a gift from a North Little Rock church

North Little Rock, Arkansas – After being completely destroyed by the tornado in March of last year, the Amboy Baptist Church is dissolving and giving Park View Baptist Church the structure.

“It’s just this huge blessing that we got from what seemed to be we lost and now we have gained with so much more,” Dr. Brian Sheppard said.

On Friday, March 31, 2023, the tornado left havoc in its wake. On Saturday, Park View Baptist Service spent the day tidying up. On Sunday, they assembled the crowd and chairs for service.

“I felt like it was important for us to have church at the property that Sunday,” Sheppard said.

Easter was the following Sunday, and according to Sheppard, Camp Robinson blessed them and gave them permission to use their chapel.

“We really didn’t know at that point where we would go from here,” Sheppard said.

Amboy Baptist Church intervened to assist at that point.

“Amboy Baptist has a large sanctuary and a small sanctuary so we, Park View, would have service in the large sanctuary they would have service at the same time in the small sanctuary,” Sheppard said.

At the same time that they were supporting one another, Amboy’s congregation was getting smaller.

Amboy also faced other difficulties, like the theft of their air conditioners and the necessity for extensive repairs due to the church’s age.

“They approached us about April and said what would it look like if we, we gave you our building,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard was at first taken aback but also grateful for a permanent home and answers to prayers.

“Amboy, of course you know open the arms, but it wasn’t home you know we were still a guest,” Sheppard said. “When we closed on the property it was ours.”

Sheppard states that although they are happy, they are aware that other people are grieving as the Amboy Baptist Church closes.