Church in Jacksonville holds first Sunday service since March 31 tornado in 2023

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – New Commandment Community Church of God in Christ in Jacksonville is praising under a new roof after a year of rebuilding from the March 31 tornado in 2023.

Pastor Eddie Miller recalls how the community felt after the destruction and now, he preaches to that community on the first Sunday service the church has had since its restoration.

"For people to see what happened. Because people saw the building destroyed," Miller said. "Now they can see the outcome, what God has done. That's so amazing for me."

Candius Bass has been a member for the church for eight years.

"We stuck together as a church family. We didn't let that deter us," Bass said, "We didn't let that bring us down. And look at what God has done for us now."

Miller said it took $2.5 million to get the church where it's at today. He's just blown away from the amount of people that helped out to get it there.

And Bass said that community support won't stop now. She plans on continuing to help in any way she can.

"Choir rehearsals, working with the babies, the Sunshine band. Being in the kitchen. Just doing whatever our pastor and first lady need us to do," Bass said.