Pray for Union University & Jackson, TN

From my friend Scott Lamb...

Just got a call about my nephew, a freshman at Union University. Not sure if it was a tornado or severe wind, but he was in a dorm building that had its roof lifted off and some sheet rock walls fell on he and the other students. I haven't found any "official news" on the Jackson-area storms yet, but word on the ground is that there were funnels. As you probably know, Jackson is a magnet for such storms.

Please be in prayer for the students (Katie, David) parents who live away and are very concerned (Mohlers, Clays) and administration (Dockery, Thornbury, Kahler, Ellsworth, Van Neste, many other friends).

I have some good friends and acquaintances at Union including the Thornburys, Tim Ellsworth and family, Ray Van Neste and family, I just had an email exchange with musician Joe Garner last week, a handful of students, and more.  My wife and I are stopping to pray for Union and the Jackson area.  If you can find a minute, I ask you to as well.

Comments

[Chris Turner]

Steve, Thanks for posting on this. I just talked with Tim and here is the initial release I wrote for BP which may be edited slightly there. More updates will be available there as info comes in. It is pretty rough there and we are about to get slammed here in Middle TN by the same storm. We'd appreciate the the prayers as well. A second line is due to come through Jackson soon and we're under tornado watches through 2 am.

Union University in Jackson, Tenn., sustained heavy tornado damage Tuesday evening at approximately 7 pm when a line of heavy thunderstorms rushed through the area.

At 8:15 central, news and information director, Tim Ellsworth, reported that students were still trapped by debris in their dorms. At least four of those students have been rescued. Dorms in both the men’s and women’s areas have been destroyed.

“We currently have no serious injuries that we know of and rescue operations are still continuing,” Ellsworth said. “Many buildings sustained heavy damage.”

The Union University Web site is down and Ellsworth said the school is trying to find an alternate means for posting information. Currently Ellsworth said the school is working on an alternative means of trying to provide parents with information but that power was completely out on campus.

Ellsworth reported that many cars on campus sustained damage. The roof on Jennings Hall was nearly completely gone as well as other buildings having sustained damage.

Classes have been cancelled at least for the rest of the week.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

[Michele]

Steve,

Thanks for posting this. Union is my alma mater and Jackson is my hometown, so I'm watching closely and praying hard. I appreciate the update!

[Joe Kennedy]

Steve, yeah. I heard the same- our pastor's daughter is a student there. She was able to call out and tell him that they've moved many students into the Science building, and they're under watch.

[Bart]

I have a friend who's sister lives in a dorm at Union and said that she was moved somwhere and came outside to see her drom split in half and could see into her room on the third floor. She went on to say that most all cars were totaly damaged, but that word is many cuts, scratches, and bruises, but no sever injuries. Also she said that the roof of the mens drom had fallen in and seven guys were trapped inside but OK, and they were in the process of lifting off the roof to get to them

[Paula Owens]

My daughter has been a student there for the last 2-1/2 years and just moved off campus this past weekend. The dorm she was living in was one that was hit and she has several of her friends from Union sheltering at her apartment. Our prayers are with Union and all the faculty, staff and students.

[Jeff Lash]

Union is my alma mater as well. Joe Garner is a good friend(and good baller too). That place is the Tornado Alley of the South. We had two of them when I was there. Thanks for the update on this. We'll be thinking and praying for folks.

[Amy]

We are housing many students right now as well. If there is anyone in this area who can house students, contact the university through Stein Mart. They need shelters for them.

[conneva]

My son is a freshman at UU. He called to say he and his roommates are safe but described the scene on campus as "apocalyptic".

[Kelly O'Neill Carter]

It's my alma mater! I am so thankful that no lives were lost, but to hear of the devastation there is heartbreaking. Let's all pray for the emotional healing and physical rebuilding that will be necessary.

[conneva]

Just spoke with my son a few minutes ago. He wanted to request prayer for a student who is not a believer but that just called in tears to say that she was shaken by the tornado and wanted to talk about accepting Christ.

He asked us to emphasize the ministry opportunities and not the damaged campus.

[Kent. B]

My son is a student there, but cell phone does not answer. Does anyone know where Union has a temporary office to help parents locate their children? Also, any ideas of where these students may be housed when classes resume?

[Mark Inman]

Steve

thanks so much for posting this man, and helping to raise awareness.

I have been able to post some photos from last night, anbd hopefully will be able to post more later tonight after they let us back on campus to begin clean up.

my flickr stream is: www.flickr.com/photos/markinman

thanks again for helping raise awarness. It is great to have brothers to struggle with.

--mark

[Rae Whitlock]

The devastation on Union's campus is unbelievable. My wife is a Union alum and we lived in Jackson for the first few years of our marriage. We've still got quite a few friends there who were affected. Keeping them in prayer.