The oak tree has always been a symbol of strength and resilience and deep rooted permanence. Oak Island, the small coastal community a few miles south of Anahuac and the community hit hardest by Hurricane Ike, wears the name of the mighty tree well as they continue to provide sanctuary to people after the storm. Oak Island has not only survived the bad weather, they have strengthen their culture and given their community more choices and one of the most obvious examples of that is obvious as you drive through town and look at the new construction on the left.
Long after Ike has blown threw and long after all of the government money has been spent and the news cameras have shown the carnage of the disaster, anyone traveling to Oak Island can look at a flat, previously barren field and see how hope for many has begun to spring forth on long solid peers of wood anchored above the flood plain. Mark and Darlene Pagels have stood tall in their community as they have clung to the all-powerful God they serve through all of the struggles that have come, and continue to come Oak Island’s way. Like a port in the storm three crosses stand in the breeze of the gulf wind reminding us of the painful death Jesus endured with a thief on each side of Him. Behind the crosses passersby can see the tangible evidence of a church building, The Christian Fellowship Church, which was berthed long before by God Himself in the hearts of the Pagels. This place is a sanctuary where storms are kept on the outside, a place where the peace and joy of serving our mighty Creator is promoted by faithful servants.
The people of Oak island can look back at a time when their houses may have been lost but a time when many rediscovered their faith. This community may have smaller savings accounts but they have come through a historic storm and decided to build up their treasure by strengthening their faith. The Pagels are examples of a community that will never give up, but they instead they have decided to look up. The Christian Fellowship Church is a great place to invest one’s time and their efforts as God through His church seeks to show His love and His power in a sin torn world of hurting people.
10 comments:
Oak Island you remain in our prayers. What you have endured has to be tough. You sound like you are growing back stronger than you were before. Praise the Lord!
Thanks for the prayers. After the microphones and the cameras left, regular people like the Pagels have continued to work hard to unite our community. They, of course, give credit to the Lord and to others.
We are not a community of showboats, we are a community of people use to scratching and clawing for what we have. I have not gone to the church that has been here for years because there sounds like there has been some scratching and clawing going on there. Maybe they will get it right at the new church......
Thanks for the good PR Liberty Dispatch!
I live in Oak Island and look forward to this church opening. Finally, a place to worship with a pastor who has integrity.
Dear LD, thank you for the story, how can I help or donate to the building of this church?
The thing I have witnessed and am excited about is how many more people are dedicated to having Christian fellowship. We all faced life threatening and life changing circumstances and many of us came out the other side with more faith. My faith is in the son of god not any man or any building. I love brother Mark and believe he is here for the long haul and that he cares about this community. God uses men's tongues, but he blesses men's hearts.
I think Liberty Dispatch ought to form a fund drive for the new church in Oak Island. Change is good.
I would like to make a donation too, where?
A very nice story, maybe when they get the church built I will bring my family to visit.
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