It was disappointing to immediately learn that our property insurance was woefully inadequate to cover this catastrophic damage. However, very soon after this, we were thrilled to learn that Grace would qualify for funding from FEMA, based upon the Stafford Act which was revised in 2018 to allow faith-based schools to qualify for disaster relief.

As application for these funds was initiated, we began working with an ex-FEMA employee to help guide us through the gauntlet of document submittals and conferences. This work was highly intensive and time-consuming as we have waded through the bureaucracy of the federal government. Initiatives have included communication with local, state, and federal elected officials to gain their support. 

All counsel from both FEMA staff and consultants indicated that we could expect FEMA to provide the funding necessary to rebuild the same capacity (148,000 square feet of buildings as well as recreational fields) with building code upgrades, and energy efficient updates.

Within that first month of recovery efforts, we also engaged with our long-time architect partners, Rardin and Carroll to revisit previous development plans and create a master site plan for a completely new ministry campus. Due to required upgrades, we found that energy-efficient and high-quality materials must now be used, improvement of safety and security and more effective ministry spaces would be realized. Great excitement across the Grace constituency began to arise as we recognized this as an opportunity to build for the future rather than rebuilding the past nor even the present. Members of the church along with staff provided significant input resulting in adjustments and improvements in this new design. God has given us the opportunity to complete an interconnected, interdependent, holistic plan for Grace ministries.

With support from the congregation, we contracted with Tyson and Associates, a local construction company to begin the building process in the late summer of 2020. With an overlapping, four-phase plan set up, it was determined that we would use all insurance funds totaling about $20 million to go as far as we could. 

Immediately, Tyson’s team got started with Phase 1 which required extensive earthwork including re-grading 20+ acres and installing below-ground infrastructure. Their plan implemented a counterclockwise cycle beginning in the northwest corner with the required large retention pond and then continuing with athletic field redevelopment down to the corner of Shallowford and Jenkins where the main church building would be located. Construction would continue north paralleling Jenkins Rd. 

As we look back, it is noteworthy that the extensive remodel of the Grace Children’s Center was finished by December of 2020 and reopened for full capacity of over 100 children. Furthermore, the only mission house which survived the storm was also repaired and returned to full usage in 2020.

It was understood from the beginning that completion of all phases could take a few years even with the strong confidence given to us that FEMA would complete their authorization and distribution of funds by late 2021. As we know now, this did not materialize as the bureaucracy of the government’s systems created a very lengthy process, even slower than what we imagined. 

While just over $1 million dollars was initially received from FEMA, we waited over. four years for tens of millions to be released by FEMA. In the meantime, we also praised the Lord for generous gifts from individuals and foundations over those years, currently totaling over $2 million.

We eventually used all our insurance funds and initial FEMA money by the end of 2021, forcing us to call for a work stoppage. Contractors responded graciously as we were able to pay every contract invoice to date. At that point, 98% of Phase 1 was completed which included earthwork and “below-ground” infrastructure (storm water control, utilities, etc.) 

More than 70% of Phase 2 was also completed, including the recreational fields being finished and base surfaces of parking lots installed. Phase 3 was initiated with foundation laid and steel framing for the first building erected. 

Another disappointment occurred in the summer of 2022, as FEMA indicated they would not grant some funding of our damage. With help from professional contractors and legal counsel, we learned this is not unusual for FEMA and it would require us to enter a formal appeal. God had already led us to retain legal experts in dealing with FEMA and we prepared the appeal with support from the law offices of Baker-Donelson. The appeal was submitted in the fall of 2022, but a final decision was not forthcoming until October of 2023. 

Once received, the decision on our appeal was less than satisfactory. Another submittal on our part, informed by a 3rd party analysis resulted in an improved result, but even that required further scrutiny by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This took us into the fall of 2024.

With the conclusion of the USACE's study in October of 2024, we were informed of the final valuation of the scope of our project. After deductions for insurance, FEMA's commitment for 90% of our valuation amounted to $37.3 million. The only thing that remained to receive was the actual government contract in the form of an official Letter of Obligation. After almost 5 years, the Letter of Obligation was received and signed by all parties as a contractural agreement in the spring of 2025.

With the awarding of our FEMA grant of $37.3 million in the spring, and the initiation of the reimbursement process by TEMA to funnel those funds to us, construction resumed in late September, 2025.

Naturally, with all insurance funds already used, our primary source for funding currently is that FEMA grant. However, we have known for quite some time that whatever the FEMA grant turned out to be, it was not going to be adequate to fully fund the entire Master Plan by itself.

As previously referenced, our FEMA grant is being funneled through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).  The first $11.1 million has already been received via reimbursement of prior invoices.

Other invoices are currently being prepared for submission; their reimbursement will maintain our cash flow for the immediate future.

It is important to recognize that FEMA is just one of several sources of funding God has already presented to support our building project. While the insurance pay-out gave us a great start, it now has become even more evident that our own giving has been and must continue to be a significant source for completing the entire vision for Grace’s ministries, both those we have now and those that can be developed in the future. Giving today supports the vision for completing the master plan in a timely manner.

•  The original claim of damages for Grace Baptist ministries (2021) was submitted to FEMA at a value of over $70 million. This was the estimated cost to rebuild the campus as it was, but up to present codes, a key factor.

•  The new approved master plan is a complete redesign of our campus bringing all ministries to our original capacity, yet with significant improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and security. In many ways, this is not a rebuild-it is a new build, a long range vision for the future.

• This new master plan was originally estimated to cost $65 million. The lower figure than the cost to restore the original campus as it was could be attributed to a number of factors; shared rooflines & walls, not duplicating bathroom spaces, less concrete and asphalt, etc.

• Total spent on the construction project by the end of December 2022 was about $23 million. This included paying for debris removal, demolition, purchase of adjacent 4+ acres, remodel of the Children’s Center and mission house, grading 20+ acres, installing below-ground infrastructure, and initiating new construction.

• In the summer of 2025, the updated cost to finish the entire master plan was determined to be approximately $57 million.

• Upon receiving this news, it was apparent rather quickly that a phased approach to the completion of the entire Master Plan was probably going to be necessary.

• With the resumption of activity onsite, the first objective is to complete that which was already under construction, with the goal of occupancy in the late summer or early fall of 2026.

• Work will continue through the final phase with adequate funding.

• Pursuit of additional funding to fill the remaining gap continues for completion of the master plan. Individuals are encouraged to consider what God may have them contribute. Charitable foundations are also being approached for support.

Pray for:

• God’s supplying the necessary funds to  complete the most immediate phase of construction in such a way that our entire student body could be moved back to our original campus with full functionality.

• God’s provision of needed funds from a variety of sources to complete the entire master plan.

• Wisdom and sustaining energy from God provided for our leadership team, the DRRC.

• Maintaining a testimony with all around us of complete trust in our great God.

Praise God for:

• His provision for our church at 1st SDA Church.

• His provision for our school at Morris Hill Baptist.

• Continued growth across our ministries.

• God's work in gaining access to our granted funds from FEMA.