Help Pastor Clyde Metcalf's Church Post Hurricane Helene

When I met Pastor Clyde Metcalf, it was with tears in my eyes.

A disabled man, with one leg, he had been the pastor at South Bend Baptist Chuch for 22 years. And after Hurricane Helene, it looked like that time was about to end.

Where the church is located would depend on when you chose to ask. At the time of this writing, the small one room parish stands directly across the road from the tame Jack's Creek. But had you asked during Helene, the answer would be that you would find it in the creek. Or that you would find the creek in the church.

During the storm, Jack's Creek swelled so far beyond its constructed bounds, and flowed with such ferocity that you may be tempted to call it a river.

Well, Jack's Creek, or river, swept the road away, and many homes with it. The water rose past the windows of Clyde's blessed little church, and filled the upper worship room, the basement, and the classroom with mud and water.

3 weeks later, that mud and water still sat in the basement, and the smell of mold permeated the building.

Had it not been for a team of volunteers from Virginia, a father who had just broken his neck, and his son Bradley Abner, who managed to ride in together on the river bed, on four wheelers, spotted the church, and took it upon themselves to begin the process of muck removal without ever having met Clyde, it's likely you would find the church in a landfill today. (I'll be sharing their story soon as well.)

When I met Clyde, it was the final day that South East Rescue and Relief would be serving food, and delivering supplies up through those mountains. Operating out of Swannanoa, Jamie Hough, a former contestent on Master Chef had driven up from Charleston SC, with a dedicated core team of friends who were serving thousands of meals a day. But at that time, with the mission near completion, it was time for the team to go home.

A few of us, myself, Kevin, River Ashe, and Fred Vasselman, had set out on a mission to deliver aid into Burnsville, where River had lived for many years. And although power was restored in some areas of Swannanoa, the situation was very different just around the mountain. Every hallow, and every river, and creek, had a new need. Food was no longer the immediate priority, the challenge now was longer, sustained efforts. It was a body problem. So much need, over such a vast area, and so few people.

In the immediate days that followed, I wrote down what that morning was like

"I see a man, sitting alone in the door of a single room church. He waves as we drive by. I turn away, feeling that my wave couldn't give him what he truly needs, and ashamed of the little I had to offer him. A wave and a smile. That was all. The road we drove down, past his church, was new. Brand new. Land where there was none. Backfilled, supported by new rock, it had been graded and built in the two weeks prior, following what was now a small creek. Large remains of the previous road, broken black asphalt with yellow lines, filled the creek bed, 10 feet below, strewn amongst boulders. Bridges entirely gone, now sunken below the water.

The hummer we were following took a left, and pulled into the church parking. I press record on my chest mounted gopro camera, exit the vehicle, and walk inside."

So imagine now, you meet a elderly man who could be your grandfather, alone with one leg, who had just stopped sweeping, to talk with you.

Imagine how helpless you might feel, having nothing but yourself, and needing to be back home in Florida for work in two days.

Now imagine the immense hope, when you remember that you have the ability to call upon an army. How privileged, and blessed you might feel. But not just an army. THE ARMY. The actual United States Army. And because today is veterans day, more specifically, the screaming eagles! The legendary 101st Airborne division who first served in WWII. The XVIII Corps.

I've put this video together, just in time for a release on Veterans day. So when anyone asks, where was our army, you can show them they are here, helping our people, serving our country.

I called, and the Army answered.

And now I'm asking you to do the same.

Please, let's be the third wave of aid, that does not forget our neighbors who need our help, and does not leave anyone behind.

Please help Pastor Clyde.

Let's finish the job, on the civilian side.

Share, donate, whatever you can do.

This story now includes you.

Will you answer?

Pastor Clyde has given me permission to create this campaign for him, and it's a blessing to see this through.

All donations will be used to rebuild the church, rebuilding the basement, mold assessment and damage repair, rebuilding the classroom below,

removing, replacing the wiring and electrical fixtures, replacing the plumbing fixtures, replacing the doors, sheet rocking the walls, and replacing the HVAC system.

The church is located at

South Bend Freewill Baptist Church

8671 Jacks Creek Rd

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Please share it.

God bless you, and God bless America.