When a powerful derecho ripped through northern Indiana on August 11, the city of Gary was plunged into darkness. Nearly 38,300 customers lost electricity, and more than half were still waiting for power ten days later. While utility crews worked to clear trees and repair lines, many residents faced spoiled food, costly home repairs and the trauma of living without light.
Churches Fill the Gap
Rev. Nicole Patrice Guns, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Gary, described the storm’s impact as a stark illustration of the city’s long‑standing neglect. “You go further into the state, and power was restored,” she said. “But then you go to Gary, and it’s dark.” In response, the Black church community mobilized quickly, turning its historic role as a sanctuary into a frontline relief operation.
“Jesus preached, taught, healed and fed people,” Guns said, noting that volunteers from First Baptist and other congregations distributed food, water, toiletries and other necessities. More than 300 residents were served during a single giveaway organized with World Vision, and the Church of God in Christ’s charitable arm pledged a $50,000 emergency contribution to Indiana churches.
Local and National Support
The relief effort extended beyond Gary. The National Baptist Convention USA sent workers to help clear fallen trees and delivered a tractor‑trailer full of supplies. Pastors from Dallas, Memphis and other cities reached out, offering both financial gifts and hands‑on assistance. “If I have it, then you have it,” Guns quoted, emphasizing the spirit of mutual aid that emerged before any government aid arrived.
Mayor Eddie Melton called the prolonged outage “unacceptable,” and Indiana Governor Mike Braun ordered an investigation into Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) to determine whether the utility was prepared for such a storm. NIPSCO denied negligence, attributing the damage to the historic severity of the derecho, which produced wind gusts of 99 mph—comparable to a Category 2 hurricane.
Resilience Amid Decades of Disinvestment
Guns reminded readers that Gary’s challenges are rooted in decades of disinvestment, job loss and blight. Once a thriving steel town that attracted Black migrants during the Great Migration, Gary now grapples with boarded‑up theaters, vacant storefronts and a reputation for crime. Yet the community’s response to the storm underscores a deep love for the city.
“I see the resilience in the midst of hurt and devastation and poverty,” Guns said. “People love the city of Gary, and they’re not willing to just go down without a fight.” Her congregation, founded in 1908 and recognized as Gary’s oldest Black church, has reclaimed its historic identity as a church “in and for the community.”
Looking Forward
While power restoration continues, the relief effort has highlighted the essential role of faith‑based organizations in emergency response, especially in areas overlooked by state and federal agencies. Guns urged outsiders to reject narratives that reduce Gary to a city of crime and instead recognize the kindness and generosity of its residents.
“The people of Gary are kind people,” she affirmed. “Everybody in Gary is not violent.” As crews work to bring full service back, the churches’ actions stand as a testament to the power of community, faith and perseverance.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
