When disaster strikes, the first place many people go is to a church.
In Sunnyside, that’s exactly what hundreds did in the days after Hurricane Beryl left well over two million Houstonians in the dark amid triple-digit heat index temperatures.
At the First Missionary Baptist Church in Sunnyside, they were welcomed with open arms. However, it comes at a cost for the congregation that now has to face a forecasted electric bill nearly 10 times their typical bill.
For seven days following Beryl stranding many in Houston’s heat, the church along Briscoe Street in Sunnyside became an outlet to help the local community survive—literally.
They offered a space to cool down, outlets to charge your phone and keep medical equipment running and a hot meal.
“God has never left me behind and I believe that taking care of his people, I think God is smiling on what we did,” said Pastor Henry Price II.
Over the course of the seven days, the church was open to residents 24/7. Hundreds of people took advantage of the lifeline tucked away in ...
