Anadarko Church Stays Faithful After Tornado

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

ANADARKO, Oklahoma -- A tornado hit Anadarko this past week, destroying much of the town and a local church. But from the rubble rises faith and a determination to move forward.

It's not where they ever expected to have to hold their Sunday service, outside and under a canopy.

"It's like is this really real. Is it really real," said church member Carmen Klienkole.

Members of the Wichita Community Church are struggling to come to terms with the fact that their church building for the past 100 years is gone after being destroyed by a tornado.

"Iit's was like the church, my church is gone. I was baptized here and where am I going to go now?" said Klienkole.

"What happened the other night is beyond what I ever thought," Deacon Matthew Roughface said.

Deacon Roughface has been helping members of his church cope with the devastation.

"We'll take it in stride and let God take care of us because He brought us through the storm and He'll be there tomorrow," said the Deacon.

As for the tornado that came through, it didn't just take the congregations church but also their community center. But members said while it may have taken their only two buildings, it didn't take what's important.

"Even though the tornado took the building and the community building, we're still here as a church because our people make the church," said Klienkole

"We don't know what God holds in the future. We're thankful He's given us another day," said Deacon Roughface.