Church rallies to rebuild after Beryl destruction

Seven months ago, Hurricane Beryl passed close to Jamaica's south coast as a powerful Category 4 storm, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Among its victims was Deliverance Temple Apostolic in New Forest, Manchester, a small but deeply rooted church that found itself without a roof, without a pastor, and, in many ways, without a home.

Now, the congregation is fighting to rebuild - not just walls, but the faith and unity that once held them together.

"We have lost a lot," says Vanessa Vassell, the church's public relations officer. "This was the hardest blow we've faced. Members were displaced, and for a while, we had to travel a great distance just to worship on Sundays."

Before the storm, Deliverance Temple was a small but dedicated assembly. The hurricane's destruction, however, shook its foundation. At first, they worshipped under a tarpaulin, a temporary fix that soon proved futile when the wind and rain claimed that, too. With nowhere else to go, services moved inside a modest house on the church property, a space originally meant to house the pastor.

Despite the struggles, Deliverance Temple remains steadfast. Vassell said that rebuilding the church will cost $2.5 million, a daunting figure for a congregation already stretched thin. Yet, rather than be discouraged, they are pushing forward with whatever resources they have.

"There is only so much we can do with limited hands," Vassell explained. "The people working on the church have jobs during the day, so most of the rebuilding happens at night."

This commitment to service is the driving force behind Arise Built, a gospel concert scheduled for March 28. It is designed to raise funds for reconstruction while strengthening the church's bond with the community.

Church chairman Kirkland Johnson believes that once the church is rebuilt, the scattered flock will find its way back home.

"I just hope that when we rebuild, the church picks up right where we left off," Johnson said.