Community Builder: Flood victims reunite with pastor who helped them recover

. - Columbia, SC (WIS) - The holidays are a time for reunions and inside Northwood Baptist Church there’s a special one.

“They went out of their way, not just for us, for a lot of folks in the community,” said Kimberly Mayze, sitting next to her husband Sam.

The Mayzes used to live in an apartment off Piney Grove Road.

“All the sudden 3am, it’s coming through the back door…going through the house,” said Sam, thinking back to Sunday, October 4th when a historic flood hit the Midlands.

Floodwaters would destroy just about everything they owned. The Mayzes said as they looked for help, they received an answered prayer.

“We kind of waited our turn more or less, then the Lord came around and blessed us,” said Sam. “The folks at this church have been tremendous.”

But their prayer wasn’t the only one that was answered

“Dave was looking for somewhere to help,” said Missy Copeland, the wife of David Copeland who is the lead pastor of Northwood Baptist Church. “He even went to one of the shelters with the kids and got sent away because they had more volunteers

than people in the shelters,” she added. “We were on the way back from downtown and he got a call from David Lee, and he said this is the answer to my prayers.”

Lee is with the Lexington Baptist Association and told Pastor Dave about the Mayzes and how they had lost everything.

After just meeting the Mayzes, Pastor Dave and the people of Northwood Baptist rallied to get them what they needed.

“Everybody immediately was like what do they need? Do they need clothes? Do they need furniture?” said Missy. “That’s the thing about this church body, we’re small, but these people will do anything for anybody.”

“They’ve been there ever since, helping all the way,” said Kimberly.

That’s why it was so special for the Mayzes to join Matt Mungo and WIS to help surprise Pastor Dave with the news that he’s our latest Community Builder.

Upon seeing Pastor Dave, the couple wrapped their arms around him. Mungo followed behind and presented Pastor Dave his hard hat.

“I just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for our community through the floods and since,” said Mungo.

Pastor Dave humbly pointed to his church body. He added, “It’s just been the hearts of these people, that they want to make Christ known from this place.”

They are hearts the Mayzes say they will ever be grateful for and the feeling is mutual.

“In the end I have two new friends, is kind of the way I look at it,” said Pastor Dave.

As a Community Builder, Pastor Dave receives a $1,000 donation to the charity of his choice from the Michael J. Mungo Foundation.