MIRACLE! Mississippi Christians Sang Amazing Grace While a Tornado Tore the Roof Off Their Church and Every Single Person Walked Out Alive
Coaltown Baptist Church in Purvis Sheltered in a Hallway as Pastor Jimmy Breazeale Says God's Hand of Protection Was On Us
The members of Coaltown Baptist Church in Purvis, Mississippi were finishing a meal on the evening of 7 May 2026 when tornado sirens sounded. Within minutes a tornado tore the roof off their fellowship hall. As the storm raged outside, the congregation huddled in a hallway behind the sanctuary and did the only thing that made sense: they sang "Amazing Grace" and prayed.
Every single person walked out alive.
Mississippi Tornado Spares Coaltown Baptist Church Congregation in Purvis
"Just total devastation. We were just thankful to God that we were all safe," said Pastor Jimmy Breazeale. Church member Jana Keith echoed: "God's hand of protection was on us. Nobody was hurt."
One witness reported the sanctuary walls "just moving back and forth" during the worst of the storm.
The tornado was one of at least 14 that swept across Mississippi between 5:45 p.m. and 11 p.m., damaging approximately 400 homes and injuring 17 people statewide. Members realised the fellowship hall roof was gone only after the tornado had passed. "The love and support we have received means more to us than you will ever know," the church said. Neighbours, including those who had lost their own homes, are now mobilising to help rebuild.
The Crusader's Opinion
Coaltown Baptist did exactly what every Christian congregation should do in the storm. They gathered. They sang. They prayed. They survived. The world will dismiss this as luck or ventilation patterns. The Coaltown believers know better. The God who calmed the Sea of Galilee preserved them in a hallway in Mississippi. Pastor Breazeale's first instinct was thanksgiving. Jana Keith's was praise. That is the muscle memory of Christians who walk with Christ daily. The roof is gone. The fellowship hall will be rebuilt. The church family is alive. Hallelujah.
Take Action
- Donate: Coaltown Baptist Church, Purvis, Mississippi for rebuilding
- Support: North American Mission Board Send Relief Mississippi tornado response
- Pray: For Pastor Breazeale, his congregation, and all Mississippi tornado victims
- Sing: "Amazing Grace" with your family this week and reflect on God's protection
- Share: The Coaltown story and witness God's faithfulness in storms
