By Reverend Sheila Scott and Reverend Charles Norris, 5th Episcopal District
On May 16, St. Louis was hit by a devastating tornado, but faith fought back. In the aftermath of destroyed neighborhoods and toppled homes, the strength of the community was tested. Despite sustaining damage to its own sanctuary, St. James AME Church arose as a beacon of hope and healing among hurting people. At the heart of this mission, Pastor Charles Norris, known for his compassion, steady presence, and unwavering leadership, transformed reactive outreach into organized impact. He commented:
“The day after the tornado, before we could even make formal calls for help, two organizations showed up unprompted, helped clean up debris from our damaged church, and provided generators that allowed us to hold worship service the next day. That same equipment became the power source for our first wave of relief efforts. Despite our own hardship, we became a hub for four different organizations, demonstrating that God’s power to use broken places for healing is real. One survivor tearfully shared, “I didn’t know where to turn, but I heard St. James was helping. I came for food, but I left with hope.”
His holistic approach empowered volunteers to serve with joy and resilience, even as the church recovered. Within hours, the congregation transformed the crisis into a coordinated ministry. St. James AME Church quickly mobilized as a designated Faith-Based Resource Hub. Volunteers sprang into action to distribute food, water, emergency supplies, clothing, toiletry kits, and even power through generators for families left in the dark. Recognizing the emotional toll of disaster, the church also launched the “Joy Zone”—a space devoted to mental wellness, comfort, and spiritual restoration.
Partnerships proved vital to these endeavors. He convened faith leaders, coordinated with civic agencies, and maintained open lines to resources like the Red Cross and city officials. Smyther Fallen, a Red Cross leader and fellow AME member, helped spark the “Spirit of St. Louis” initiative—amplifying faith-based collaboration throughout the city. Churches from the AME Ministerial Alliance and nonprofits via the St. Louis Resource Collaborative Foundation merged forces with St. James, creating a united front for healing.
Serving others in the community has been St. James’ guiding theme since 2024, R.E.S.P.E.C.T., based on 1 Peter 2:17 (“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor”), which grounds all their work.
The acronym reminds us to:
• Reveal truth and grace,
• Excel in service,
• Seek God’s direction,
• Pray without ceasing,
• Evangelize through action,
• Care for our neighbors, and
• Teach by example.
This framework has helped the church move from reactive charity to purposeful ministry—meeting needs with intention, love, and long-term vision.
In conclusion, when devastation strikes, true ministry does not retreat—it rises. Through faith, leadership, and community-powered action, St. James has demonstrated that healing from broken pieces can renew hope. Church is more than a building; it’s a lifeline. In every prayer, package, and partnership, our witness: Start with love. Stay with faith. Stand together. Pastor Norris reminds us:
“Faith is the anchor of our response. We operate believing that faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the substance of things not seen. The morning after the storm, the cleanup crews and support teams that showed up were not called—they simply appeared. That’s how God has moved through this disaster: He just keeps showing up. Whether through people, resources, or moments of peace amid chaos, our faith tells us that God is working even when we don’t see the full picture.”
Today, St. James continues to serve—not because the tornado ended, but because ministry never does.
