News Articles

It Is Written Spared From Tennessee Tornado Days Before Global Evangelism Initiative

April 13, 2020 | Collegedale, Tenn. | Ellen L. Hostetler

It Is Written headquarters driveway — *Many trees were damaged and/or destroyed on both sides of the It Is Written headquarters in Collegedale, Tennessee, as storms hit the area on April 13, 2020. Photo provided by It Is Written*

Tornadoes touched down just feet away from the It Is Written ministry headquarters in Collegedale, Tennessee, early Monday morning, April 13, 2020. Reports of power outages, missing persons, and deaths filled local news reports Monday morning.

After the tornadoes and storm swept through the area, the It Is Written generators kept power running to the offices. When staff went to check on the building, they were met with debris all across the parking lot and hundreds of trees snapped in half all around the building.

"Miraculously, the building was spared," shared John Bradshaw, It Is Written speaker/director. “It became clear when we looked at drone footage that tornadoes had come through on either side of our ministry home. They flattened trees along two distinct paths before lifting just yards short of a nursing home and a dental practice.”

Bradshaw added, “We’re extremely grateful to God and we are praying for those families and businesses that have experienced devastating loss. We were spared from what would have been a disaster. Literally a few feet in either direction and things would be very different today."

The storm came just days before It Is Written is set to begin “Hope Awakens,” a virtual online evangelistic series. More than 24,000 people have registered for the live event, which begins Friday, April 17, at 7:00 p.m. ET. Registrations continue to pour in.

"We are not sure when power will be restored, but we are trusting God to get us up and running in time for the meetings," Bradshaw said. "God knows how urgent it is that people hear hope and certainty, when there is so little in the world right now."

Bradshaw will be the featured speaker during “Hope Awakens,” which will livestream online and on mobile apps. Registration for the series can be completed at www.hopeawakens.com.

UPDATE: Power was restored to the building on Tuesday, April 14.

— Ellen L. Hostetler is director of development for It Is Written.

It Is Written drone image showing damage to surrounding areas of the IIW headquarters. — *It Is Written drone image shows damage to surrounding area, including the destruction of many trees, of the It Is Written headquarters after a tornado touched down just feet away from the property.*

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