Dear CHBC Family and Friends,
On Wednesday, February 17, at approximately 8 PM we were notified by the Fire Department that there was a pipe from our fire sprinkler system that had broken and was flooding the church. Several of us responded immediately to that call. The fire department shut off the water flow at the fire riser and we began a process of assessing where the flood had reached. The pipe was located above the ceiling in the main entry way (doors below the church logo facing 134th Street). The area above the ceiling and below the roof got too cold, a pipe froze and broke at an elbow joint. The flood began between approximately 2 PM and 7:55 PM. We believe the water had been running several hours.
The initial assessment revealed about 14 inches of standing water in the main entry way, 2 plus inches of water standing in foyer leading to the Welcome Center, up to 2 inches of water in parts of the Worship Center, with water that was spreading to approximately half of the Worship Center, including up to the stairs leading to the baptistry, and up to and under the sound booth platform. No essential equipment was touched or damaged by the water in the Worship Center. The water had also spread to the preschool area. Every room and bathroom had at least some water, and there were places in the preschool that had 3-4 inches of water already standing. The water was beginning to make its way out of the preschool area and into the main hall.
On Wednesday night our insurance agent instructed us to remove all the water we were able to at the moment, and try to move anything that was not already destroyed by the water. Several volunteers had heard and responded. Thank you. Many more called to ask how to help, but no amount of volunteers at that moment was going to make a long-term difference. On Wednesday night we used our carpet extractor, and shop vacuum to get out standing water in the Worship Center and the main areas of the preschool. On a personal note, this was a very emotional night for me as I looked at the damage to or facility.
What has happened since Thursday, and what is happening now? Thursday morning we began working with our insurance adjuster, and their mitigation team. We had consultation from a church member with construction background, and we had another church member who had asked a construction firm who has been contracted by the church in the past to contact us. They began to use available resources to start a drying process. The insurance adjuster sent their mitigation consultant in and they have brought in commercial size heating and dehumidifiers to complete the drying process by sealing off the affected area in order to intensify the heat and clear the atmosphere. Once that process is complete and the environment is stabilized, a reconstruction process can begin.
We have been strategizing work days and times to remove all the unaffected items into temporary storage. We are still waiting on a contents advisor from the insurance company to assess all the damaged items. Once that has been done those things we be removed to be discarded or repaired. Since this has been such a large winter storm and many homes and businesses have been affected we must be patient as adjusters are being pulled in many directions.
Thank you to the many volunteers that worked to make it possible for us to try and worship on Sunday in person. Unfortunately with the ongoing humidity in the room, the fire sprinkler system not yet operational, and some electronics issues we determined that we must act with safety as our first priority. Your pastors could not have been more heartbroken have to make this decision, even though we knew it was correct.
We will know more about what can occur on Wednesday and Sunday as the week unfolds. We will continue to provide updates to you as it is possible. Thank you for your patience, your support, your help, and your prayers. Watch for announcements about ways to help, how we are meeting, and what will be happening next as we put things back to normal. I want to remind you that our God is good. We are not giving into a spirit of fear or discouragement. I am reminded today of the words of Psalm 22:23-31,
“You who fear the Lord, praise Him;
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from him;
But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.
25 From You comes my praise in the great assembly;
I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him.
26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.
Let your heart live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations will worship before You.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s
And He rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.
30 Posterity will serve Him;
It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.
31 They will come and will declare His righteousness
To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.”
By His Grace and for His Glory,
Mark D. DeMoss, Senior Pastor
