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God in the Whirlwind: Stories of Grace from the Tornado at Union University

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Just over five months ago an EF-4 tornado with winds over 200 miles per hour slammed into the campus of Union University in Jackson, TN. Remarkably, no one was killed, although the campus sustained $40 million in damage. In the days following the catastrophic events of February 5, numerous stories of God's providence emerged from the ruins. My friend, Tim Ellsworth (director of news and media relations at Union University and sports editor for Baptist Press), has taken in hand to provide the first hand accounts of God's providence from select individuals who experienced these events. The book, published by B & H Publishing, is titled God in the Whirlwind: Stories of Grace from the Tornado at Union University. Buy the book, read the book, and be amazed at God's providential care of the students of Union University. Tim Ellsworth quotes from John Flavel's The Mystery of Providence in his introduction to God in the Whirlwind:

"If Christians in reading the Scriptures would judiciously collect and record the providences they shall meet with there, and (if destitute of other helps) but add those that have fallen out in their own time and experience, O what a precious treasure would these make! What an antidote would it be to their souls against the spreading atheism of these days, and satisfy them beyond what many other arguments can do, that 'The Lord he is the God; the Lord he is the God' (1 Kings 18:39)."

The stories recounted in God in the Whirlwind are certainly worth telling. I am thankful to God for his faithfulness during this time of crisis and to Tim Ellsworth who has preserved precious accounts from "our own time and experience". May this book be used by the same Providence that protected during the storm as "an antidote . . . against the spreading atheism of these days" until every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

This book is a compilation of true stories about a night many people will never forget. On February 5, 2008 a F-4 tornado struck the campus of Union University in Jackson, TN. Though there were physical and emotional injuries and millions of dollars in damage, miraculously no one lost their life.

In this book Tim recounts the events that happened that night with personal stories of survival from individual students and faculty. When you read this book you can't help but be overcome with emotion as you feel like you yourself are practically living through that nightmare of a night. In fact I had to put it down several times because I felt like I couldn't "cope" with any more of the terror these students faced.

There are at least two reasons I am glad this book was written. First, we often hear about these type of disasters happening but unless you hear from the survivors you can't really grasp the magnitude of what they experienced. My heart breaks and my prayers are more sympathetic after having read their stories. Second, the best reason this story needs to be told is because of how the providential hand of God was clearly at work on that February night. Each student who was interviewed for this book was quick to give credit back to God for His deliverance that night. Many even shared how they were able to use this as a platform to tell the world about how their God had saved them as they were being interviewed on national television news programs.

The students, faculty, and family of Union University did not desire this experience and I'm sure would prefer it had never happened. But it did and nothing can change that. I am grateful that they were willing to tell their story of how an awesome, powerful God carried them through the most difficult night of their life. I am thankful that Tim Ellsworth would take the time to make this story available for all to read. Finally I am continually amazed at how God chooses to remind us that He is in control and true salvation can only be found in Him.

God in the Whirlwind: Stories of Grace from the Tornado at Union University
Paul Harvey might describe this book as "The REST of the Story" surrounding the miraculous protection of students caught in the February 5, 2008 tornado that destroyed 70% of the school's student housing and significantly damaged other buildings. The author has compiled students' first-hand accounts of the storm. He weaves in tales of parent responses when they hear that the storm is pounding their children's dormitories. And he reveals some of the innermost thoughts of Union's president David Dockery, who knew there was no margin for errors in the monumental decisions he needed to make in order to ensure the immediate welfare of the students and the quickest possible restart of classes and activities. This is a powerful testimony of faith, hope, thanksgiving and determination. It is uplifting and inspirational, meant to be shared.

Super Tuesday, 2008. I was watching with great interest the election results when the political coverage was interrupted by the news of a devastating tornado at Union University. Looking at the pictures of destruction, I was shocked that no one was killed.

Tim Ellsworth compiles the stories of more than a dozen Union students and faculty, documenting the harrowing experience of living through the storm as well as the unshakable faith of the survivors. This is a gripping book that will cause you to thank God for his goodness.

David Dockery writes in the Foreword: "Hope is not escapism, but is an energizing motivation for faithful living in the her and now. In the midst of our many challenges, hope stabilizes our lives, serving as an anchor to link us to God's faithful providence."

The forward by David Dockery, the president of Union University says much about how we should see "hope". He said "Hope is not escapism but it is the energizing motivation for faithful living in the here and now"(pg xi). As one reads the accounts of those that experienced the devastation, yet no loss of life, of the tornado of February 5th one sees this hope exemplified. This work speaks of the providence of God in the protection of people that by all accounts should not have survived and the stories of the individuals revels this as well. Dr. Dockery in speaking on providence said, "God's providence transcends experiences of men and women" (pg xi).

In Tim's introduction he shares that these stories are not to lift up the ones telling them but to "exalt an magnify the God sheltered our students under His wings." This book gives both short insights as well as longer stories of those that were intimately involved in the events of the day. Events that would indelibly reveal God to them in ways they, I would imagine, would have not contemplated the morning of the tornado. God has a way of waking us up from simply assuming His sovereignty to reveal it to us in ways we cannot imagine. The stories shared should not only effect those that were there in Jackson on February 5th but fellow believers should share in the wonder of God through the lives and stories of those touched personally by the storm. I would pray that as you read this book you do not simply file the accounts away as good illustrations but allow them to touch you in a manner that God would intend. When events such as this happen I do not believe God only wants those personally touched to be changed but that He wants the whole body to be changed. Paul's continual use of the illustration of the people of God being a body should help us see that the experiences you read in this book should touch you as it touched the member of His kingdom many miles away.

Through the accounts shared in this book you can easily see that it was nothing short of a miracle that, at least at Union, there was no death since the first thoughts of many was that there had to be people who died as the destruction was so devastating. But from this destruction and the miraculous saving of the students many gained a sense that God had far more for them to accomplish for His glory.

Miracle is one of those words that have been weakened through overuse. From unexpected sports victories to the return of long-lost pets, we apply it to common everyday events. Along the way, it has lost the "divine" element.

On February 5 Union University in Jackson, Tennessee was hit by an EF-4 tornado. Millions across the country watched frantic rescue efforts on the morning news. We were astounded at the reports that though 18 dormitories were demolished and over $40 million damage was sustained, not one life was lost. In the words of the survivors, "it was a miracle."

Now, in God in the Whirlwind: Stories of Grace from the Tornado at Union University you will read the stories of the faculty, students, and staff that were caught in the fury of a storm boasting winds over 200 miles per hour. Tim Ellsworth has compiled and recounted these personal testimonies of God's grace. Students caught in the destruction, trapped beneath piles of rubble, or working desperately to rescue their friends all give credit to the providential care of God. Beyond the accounts of physical protection are the stories of spiritual transformation. Strengthened faith, conversions, and answered questions demonstrate that God's hand was in the storm.

In each story, the author draws a compelling, yet complete portrait of faith in spite of fear. He avoids airbrushing the survivors or their faith. He refrains from sensationalism and presents faith in all its wonderful complexity. Experiencing the same questions, doubts, and emotions expected of anyone in their circumstances, does not diminish their faith, it highlights it. Rather than focusing on the tenacity of the individual, it attracts the reader to the sovereign power of God.

From the events on the night of the storm to the rebuilding and recovery efforts in the weeks following, the hand of God is clearly "traced upon the dial" of Union University. Reading these stories will strengthen your faith in the God who still performs miracles.