By Leigh C. Merrifield
A family in Clarksburg suffered a major, devastating fire recently. While many people have been fortunate enough to have dodged this sort of disaster happening to them, most can certainly appreciate the trauma it must surely cause.
Thankfully, this family (with two small children) escaped injury, but their home and all of its contents and personal belongings were destroyed … their sense of security was shocked in disbelief! However, they were not left to face this tragedy alone.
The Clarksburg Fire Department received mutual aid from Bridgeport firefighters; and considering the severity of this fire with a family left homeless, the Clarksburg Fire Department reached out to their chaplain, Rev. Michael Burge, who serves as pastor of Shinnston First United Methodist Church. Rev. Burge is also a volunteer firefighter in Shinnston and SVFD’s chaplain as well.
Rev. Burge noted that after arriving at the scene, despite the fact that he has done this for five years, it was the first time he had been involved with aiding a family with two small children (a toddler and an infant) – resembling his own family – so it really hit home with him! And just like the fire departments who lend one another mutual aid, Rev. Burge recognized that he needed a collaborative effort to help this family with their numerous immediate needs. Luckily, he knew whom to call – Shinnston’s First Baptist Church, located right next door to his own church.
“This was a ministry opportunity to meet a significant need at a significant time,” Rev. Burge stated. “While a neighbor of this family contacted the American Red Cross for immediate financial assistance to provide for urgent needs, I placed a call to two of the ladies who are involved in stocking and coordinating what is called the “Ministry House” managed by the Shinnston First Baptist Church for folks who suddenly find themselves in jeopardy. I awakened these ladies at 2 a.m. and by the time I arrived, they were there waiting for me,” he added.
Firefighters had questioned the family for ages and clothing/shoe sizes, etc., so they got to work quickly gathering what was needed. “God was with us,” Rev. Burge stated, “and provided everything we needed and more – from clothes and shoes, to diapers, baby wipes, food, toys, two car seats, and even blankets and teddy bears to comfort the children.”
Rev. Burge continued, “When I returned with my vehicle packed to its full capacity with all of this, stunned firefighters questioned where I had found a store open at this wee hour of the morning!” Then Rev. Burge explained the cooperation of the two neighboring churches whose relationship is one of Christian alliance, a bond of collaboration to love, support, and aid those in need.
Whether it is the mutual aid between fire departments or the partnership of churches, when people work together with the same purpose in mind, it typically delivers great results. This demonstrates that good things happen when there is teamwork involved.
It would be fair to say that this family overwhelmingly appreciated the support they received, and this compassionate outreach will likely be a lasting memory as they move forward, rebuilding their lives.
Kevin Nuzum, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Shinnston, said, “We are nothing but blessed to have so many donors who bring us clean and gently used items to have on hand when there is a need as was the case when this particular family lost everything.” He continued to explain that he feels God truly orchestrated all of this. Pam and Juanita Pumphrey along with Stacy Cochran take care of keeping things in order at the Ministry House which is usually well stocked with clothing for all ages typically available in one area. Another area is called the ‘Child of My Heart’ ministry that has everything from children’s clothing to baby beds, strollers, car seats, diapers, etc. Yet another area is called the ‘Healing Closet’ where items like walkers, bed pans, and wheelchairs, for example, can be found. “Some people are uninformed that we have this, so we are happy to make them aware,” Pastor Nuzum continued. “It is not just for our local residents here in Shinnston either; we welcome anyone who has a need because God calls us to be good neighbors without boundaries. I have always said this about Shinnston; our community always does its best to take care of one another, and our Ministry House fulfills this.
If there is a need, we can usually satisfy it, and if we don’t have what is needed, we do everything we can to provide it. We are just thankful to be able to offer this service.”
Stacy Cochran actually initiated this ministry and the story is an interesting one. She moved to West Virginia from Ohio in 2005 and began attending the Baptist Church. When she had a rummage sale many years ago, someone else donated numerous additional clothing items and she wondered what she would do with all of them. She ended up selling a lot of the merchandise for just $1 a bag. She recalls how it exhibited what a real need existed!! Not long after that, after hearing Cochran’s story, the church started a clothing giveaway two times a year – before the school year begins and again in the Spring. “Sometimes we will even get a call from a school when there is a need and we try to help them as well,” she added. “And so, this is how the Ministry House was born! It takes a lot of helping hands and a lot of hours to organize the donations and keep them in order, but it is worth it to help so many people.”
The Pumphrey women who were awakened at 2 a.m. during this recent fire are among those dedicated volunteers. They were not upset in the least to be called out at this hour. “We kind of consider ourselves ‘first responders’ too!” Pam commented. “This ministry has been a blessing to many people, and those of us who volunteer to carry out this ministry feel very fortunate to be able to be among the good neighbors who help out when there is a need.”
Those who might wish to donate items are asked to call the church office at 304-592-0232 to see if they are accepting donations at that time. When dropping off items, please press the ring bell for assistance so that items are not left outdoors. The Ministry House is located right beside the First Baptist Church on Rebecca Street.