New York church shelters more than 100 people during deadly Buffalo blizzard

Pastors in Buffalo, New York, used their church to shelter more than 120 people during a snowstorm that devastated the area over Christmas weekend. With help from the community, Al and Vivian Robinson provided meals, formula and other resources during Buffalo’s historic blizzard.

“The thing that stands out the most is the power that Jesus Christ has given us,” Al Robinson said in a statement to ChurchLeaders. “His love pushed us to take that extra step to reach out to this one more person in the sea, this one more life, it was incredible. I don’t even know how I was able to accomplish all this without saying that it was God (who) did everything. He really did everything.

The pastor said what happened was “the most supernatural event I have ever experienced in my entire life, but I can tell you one thing: it’s real, it happened and it save lives. Jesus was able to rescue them from the clutches of death which awaited them with joy. (God) had a different plan.

Buffalo Blizzard hits residents

At least 40 people have been reported killed so far following a winter storm that hit Buffalo on Friday, December 23. As the storm, known as a “bomb cyclone,” covered more than half of the United States, it “unleashed its full fury on Buffalo, generating a historic lake-effect snow event with winds of hurricane strength and whiteout conditions,” according to AccuWeather. The snow continued through the weekend, with some areas of Erie County, home to Buffalo, receiving more than four feet. Most of the snow fell on Friday and Saturday just before Christmas.

The New York Times (NYT) reports that although officials were preparing for a winter storm, they did not anticipate how dangerous and deadly the Buffalo Blizzard would be. The unusual amount of snow, generating huge drifts, was accompanied by wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour. Wind chill temperatures were -20 degrees.

An estimated 30,000 people lost power over the weekend. Hundreds of people were stranded by snow and many were stuck in their vehicles. Rescuers struggled to rescue people and sometimes found themselves stranded. There are stories of people who perished after being trapped in their vehicles or after trying to walk during the storm.

One woman’s mother left her home for a while, but did not return. A few hours later, a neighbor found the mother frozen to death. He told the New York Times: “She looked like she had blocks of ice on her eyelashes.”

Even when power returned, many of those who had sought refuge elsewhere were unable to return home because their pipes were frozen, leaving their homes a “disaster,” according to Pastor Al Robinson. Some residents looted grocery and convenience stores.

Al and Vivian Robinson are pastors of Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry in Buffalo. Before the storm, they had purchased enough food to feed themselves and their nine children for two weeks during the Christmas holiday. The couple lives on their church campus, and when the storm hit, Vivian began posting on her Facebook page that they could help anyone in need of shelter. She also alerted people to others who were stranded and in need.

On Friday, December 23, Vivian posted: “We tried so hard to help so many people today but it was impossible to get them. We couldn’t even reach my mother. The visibility was unbearable for driving. Please stay home, it’s difficult for anyone to reach you. We have a truck with a plow and we couldn’t get out. Pray for safety and comfort in the name of Jesus over the city and the people.

Al Robinson told Today that a friend with a snowmobile helped round up people in need during the Buffalo blizzard and bring them to the couple’s church. The Robinsons even destroyed the automatic lock on their church doors so no one would get stuck outside and freeze to death. They hosted 120 people on Christmas Eve, and CNN reports that the Robinsons ended up hosting 154 people over the weekend.

“The people were old,” Al Robinson told Today. “We had a 92-year-old man who needed oxygen. We had 9 month olds who needed formula. We had so much to do and every need was met.

Al also said the church center was stocked with mattresses and beds because he and his wife had just sold a rehabilitation home. “We used every single one of those mattresses and beds to house all those people,” he said. “It was just crazy. I mean, it’s like all the life we’ve lived before was just in one moment.

The couple received help from the community, announcing that people were delivering meals and formula, helping with rescue efforts and sending money.

“Looks like God taught us all what Christmas is really about this year,” Al posted on Christmas Day. A few days later, he reflected: “Looking back, I must have been propelled by the Almighty. I’ve done things I just can’t do. Never.”

Yet while many were miraculously saved, others were not. “We’re still finding people in their cars that didn’t make it,” Al said in another post. “It’s so terrible. So terrible. We must seek and help the living. We MUST keep moving forward.

On December 26, Vivian posted, “I want to thank everyone for their incredible support, donations and love in the Blizzard of 2022. Initially, we were able to cook and serve over 120 people in our home refrigerator, two loaves and 5 fish. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, duvets, sheets, pillows and more for the lords. We just (fed) more families today before they left. I am happy in my heart that the Lord has entrusted all these lives to us.

A church member created a GoFundMe page for the couple, who gave so much for free.

“Whatever God gives you to do, you will have power to do it by His Spirit and not by your own,” Al said. “The very Spirit of God will give you power to do His (will).” God is so good.”

This article originally appeared on ChurchLeaders.com.

Jessica Lea is the editor-in-chief of ChurchLeaders.com and producer of The Stetzer ChurchLeaders podcast.