PORT ARTHUR, Texas — More than a week after an EF-2 tornado ripped through Port Arthur, a Beaumont pastor is organizing a way to support a church that was destroyed by the storm.
Pastor Airon Reynolds Jr. of Borden Chapel Baptist Church says he couldn't stand to just sit back and watch a friend struggle to rebuild.
So, he made it his mission to help Progressive Missionary Baptist Church.
"When I saw the devastation on [TV] I did not know that a tornado had hit Port Arthur. But when I saw that, my immediate response was something needed to be done," he said.
He decided to support Progressive Missionary Baptist Church during their time of crisis.
"I prayed about it and I felt the guidance of the holy spirit to reach out to all the pastors in the area and across the country," Pastor Reynolds said.
Pastor Reynolds has been a pastor in Southeast Texas for 44 years. His tenure has allowed him to connect with church leaders in multiple areas, from Texas to Louisiana and even Michigan.
One of the church leaders he reached out to was Pastor Leonard Frazier of Peaceful Rest Baptist Church in Port Arthur.
"He called me and let me know that he was putting something together to help progressive," Pastor Frazier said. "I [saw] what had happened and I looked around and I'm like it appears that it just set on Progressive, right?"
He and others will be meeting on Sunday at Christian Faith Baptist Church in Port Arthur to raise $100,000.
"We are so grateful for the outpour of love from the religious community as well as the community in general," said Deacon of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, Jessie Fisher.
They hope to bridge the gaps on what insurance may not cover.
"If you do your part by just allowing God to use you we'll surpass the $100,000 goal," said Pastor Reynolds.
Reynolds says he believes the cost to rebuild will exceed three quarters of a million dollars.
For those willing to donate, the rally will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Christian Faith Baptist Church.
If you can't make it out to the rally on Sunday, you can still donate by using Cash App $BordenChapel and Givelify.