Pastor looks forward to anniversary

BY KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Sunday, May 20, 2012
5/20/12 at 8:21 AM

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JOPLIN, Mo. - The questions seemed to catch Pastor John Myers off guard.

"So what's been the biggest joy of the past year? Have there been any?"

Myers paused, then laughed awkwardly.

"Oh, yeah," he said. "There have been some. It is kind of a bittersweet thing."

Myers was standing inside the new Joplin Full Gospel Church at 2601 S. Indiana St. A year ago, about a mile away, the old Joplin Full Gospel Church was blown away in the May 22 tornado.

Four members of the congregation died beneath the rubble. Another was blown out of her car and killed outside the church. Myers survived but lives with the cries for help he could do nothing about.

"You're glad to see a new building, you're glad to see things happening, and the people are happy," Myers said. "But still yet, in the back of your mind, you still remember it. It is still there yet, and it will be."

The new Joplin Full Gospel Church opened quietly Easter evening, the congregation of 120 meeting for a private service. It was the first of the 27 Joplin churches either destroyed or heavily damaged in the storm to reopen.

Inside the new church is some of the old: a pulpit, a communion table and two prayer benches. That's all that was salvageable.

It also has a feature that was not found in the old church: a safe room that doubles as a classroom.

"Hopefully, we'll never have to use it," Myers said.

The 60-year-old pastor said the past year has been trying, but he believes things will get better not just for him, but for the other members of his congregation who survived that horrible day. And he knows exactly when.

"After May 22," Myers said. "Up until that time, everything has been a first (for survivors) - first Christmas without mom, first Christmas without my daughter, a first birthday - so it constantly brings things up, whereas I think after the 22nd, I think it will probably help."

Kevin Canfield 918-581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Pastor John Myers, shown in the sanctuary of the Joplin Full Gospel Church last week, lost his church and several members of his congregation in the tornado. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World