On Sunday, November 14, 2010, Christy Sutherland will perform a Benefit Concert for Gateway Assembly of God in Ashland City, TN in honor of their “Grand Re-Opening.”
May 1st and 2nd of this year, Gateway Assembly of God was one of the many casualties of the 1000 year flood to hit Nashville, TN and its’ surrounding area. The floodwaters rose to nearly five feet inside of Gateway’s building. The waters were very slow in receding and it wasn’t until May 5th when church members were able to enter the building, still knee deep in water.  The total flood damage came to a staggering $500,000.
As many other flood victims in Middle Tennessee, Gateway did not have flood insurance. The church took quotes on the cost to dry out the building, ranging up to $90,000. They could not afford any of the bids. A-1 Flood Tech of Manassas, VA offered to dry out the building for free. The out-of-state company stayed for more than a month and spent over $200,000 to accomplish the task, all for free. Other donations came in from The National Assemblies of God. Teams of skilled workers came in from all over the country to lend a hand in the rebuilding. A.O. Smith, a local water heater manufacturer, donated three water heaters to the church even after suffering crippling damage to their own facility.
Christy and her husband Matt live down the street from Gateway. They literally watched the floodwaters rise out of the riverbanks to come up terribly close to the church building. Within a two and a half hour period, the water had risen to the point where no one could enter the building.
“I remember that sick feeling as we drove by Gateway.  Their parking lot looked more like a lake than a parking lot.  It was unbelievable. When Matt asked me if I would like to do a benefit concert to help with the costs of rebuilding, there was no question. We love our city and we love our community. I feel privileged to be a part of Gateway Assembly of God’s Grand Re-opening.â€
Gateway Assembly of God will re-open its doors to the public on November 14th at 10am. Service will include the Tennessee National Guard’s Honor Guard as they present and post the church’s new flags. Those who made Gateway’s reconstruction and re-opening possible will also be honored.
Christy’s concert will begin at 6pm. All donations will go towards Gateway’s reconstruction costs.
Gateway Assembly of God is located at 1642 Hwy 12 S, Ashland City, TN.
For more information visit www.gatewayag.org or call 615-792-5978.
