The Rev. Tommy L. Lewis, who has been pastor of the 2,000-member Bethel Baptist Church of Pratt City since 1982 and oversaw rebuilding after its campus was leveled in a 2011 tornado, has retired.
Lewis, 75, announced his retirement on Easter Sunday. He’ll be honored in ceremonies this weekend.
“He’s a phenomenal leader,” said Associate Minister Geraldine Moore, formerly director of ministries for Bethel Baptist. “He makes you think you can walk on the moon. He is a great leader and has done great things in the community.”
After a tornado devastated Pratt City and completely destroyed the Bethel Baptist Church building on April 27, 2011, Lewis sprang into action to start tornado relief efforts for the community.
‘’The entire community was gone,’’ Lewis said. ‘’I said then, ‘Building the church back is going to be the easy part.’ We’ve got to make sure those people who are homeless don’t become hopeless.’’
Following the tornado, Lewis organized the Pratt City Disaster Relief Center at Scott School, which became a hub of activity for those needing assistance and those seeking to offer aid.
“During the tornado of 2011 where our church was destroyed, within 24 hours he had talked to the city leadership to get the Pratt City Disaster Relief Center open,” Moore said. “We were given keys to Scott School and his focus then was not on building the church back, but on building the community. He focused on the community before we ever thought about building our church.”
EWTN Global Catholic Network partnered with Lewis and helped coordinate shipments of relief supplies from around the world.
‘’There was no Baptist and Catholic; it was just people, brothers and sisters taking care of each other,” Lewis said. ‘’Ordinarily we would never talk, and it’s not because we don’t like each other, it’s just that ordinarily we have our own path, and those paths don’t cross. We have different paths. But when trouble comes, there is only one business for the church, and that’s putting a hand out and helping people. Trouble has a strange way of bringing people together.’’
Lewis said the tornado offered a challenge to stand together for God.
“We were never discouraged, never felt God was punishing us,” Lewis said. “We were chosen for this moment. If God can trust you with trouble, you’re on his favored list. Favor isn’t fair. Following God doesn’t mean you’re always in a resort, resting and relaxing. You’ve got to be ready to go to battle.’’
Bethel Baptist Church was rebuilt, with the new campus opening Aug. 24, 2014.
Lewis has also been known for his political activism, including helping organize the Alabama campaign for the Rev. Jesse Jackson when he ran for president in 1988. Jackson continued a long friendship with Lewis and frequently spoke as a guest at Bethel Baptist Church over the years and visited in the tornado aftermath.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell recognized Lewis on Wednesday during a session of the House of Representatives.
“I have been blessed to call Pastor Lewis a dear friend and a trusted spiritual leader and a mentor,” Sewell said. “It is because of him that so much has changed in Pratt City and Birmingham, and we are eternally grateful.”
Sewell will be taking part in a sold-out retirement celebration banquet on Friday night at New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bessemer. Lewis will also be honored Sunday during a pastor appreciation ceremony and reception at Bethel Baptist Church.
