To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we are republishing a reflection by retired CBF field personnel Ronnie Adams, published in CBF at 25: Stories of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Nurturing Faith Publishing, 2016). Rev. Adams recalls how Metro Baptist Church and the wider CBF community offered refuge, care and Christ’s love to people of many backgrounds and faiths in the hours, days and months following the terrorist attacks.
By Ronnie Adams, Emeritus CBF field personnel
As one of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s field personnel, I worked in partnership with Metro Baptist Church, located in the Hell’s Kitchen district of Manhattan, and its affiliated social service agency, Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries. A few blocks from popular attractions (Times Sq
uare, Broadway, the Hudson River) and just steps away from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Lincoln Tunnel, Metro sits in the midst of a high pedestrian and vehicular traffic area.
When called to missions, I had no idea that the call would lead meto New York City, where I—a Texan—had never been. I certainly had no idea that I would be in New York City on one of the most memorable days in that city’s and our nation’s history.
On that day, as I walked to Metro after voting in the mayoral primary, I thought, “What a beautiful September day.” There was a deep blue sky and a north wind making it cool and comfortable. On my “to do” list was preparation for the arrival of our new CBF Global Missions personnel, Shonnie Ball. These are the first things I remember about September 11, 2001.
The morning continued as I arrived at my Metro office and delved into the day’s tasks. Shortly afterwards, Marti Williams, Metro’s associate pastor, came to tell me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I joined most of the world in thinking this was a horrible accident. Then, as the second plane hit, we knew instantly that we were under attack.
A few moments later, the Port Authority Bus Terminal began to close its huge metal doors. The roadway tunnels connecting the island of Manhattan to the other boroughs and mainland were closed, too. Thousands of people wandered the sidewalks and streets aimlessly, trying tofigure out where to go and what to do.
David Waugh, then pastor of Metro, attempted to reach the World Trade Center site but was turned away at 14th Street, where police and military personnel had set up a perimeter. When he returned to the church, we had a quick meeting and prayed that God would use us.
Marti quickly made a sign that read, “All are welcome for prayer and refuge.” Almost immediately, the small fellowship room filled with people watching television and using the church phones. Metro’s sanctuary became a resting place and a place of prayer. We began to pass out water, trying to help in any way possible.
As noon approached, we decided to feed as many as possible. I went to the local stores, but their shelves had been nearly depleted by others frantically seeking to stock up on necessary provisions. Thankfully, there was another option. Metro’s weekly food pantry ministry meant that canned and dry foods were available on site. Menus were created from those items, food was prepared and people were served.
By early afternoon, people covered in white dust began to arrive. They had made their way on foot uptown, walking the three-and-a-half miles from the World Trade Center. I vividly recall two women dressed in professional business attire. In a state of shock, they told of their past few hours—how they had leapt over the bodies of those who had either jumped from the towers or been propelled out by the force of the explosions. I gave them wet towels to wipe their faces, served them food, said a prayer and assured them that they were welcome to stay as long as they wanted or needed.
They soon decided to continue their journey, and I escorted them outside. I watched as these two women merged into the throng of hundreds walking silently down 40th Street past Metro’s front doors. They were headed toward the Hudson River, where fe
rries across the water offered the only remaining transportation off the island.
Then came my tears as I watched this mass of moving people in the eerie quiet, broken by the sound of fighter jets as they flew low over the city. A young boy who attended the after-school homework center at Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries and who lived just around the corner walked up. He leaned against me and said, “I’m scared.”
I could only reply, “I am too. But I know God is with us, no matter what happens.”
While we were offering food, water and bathrooms, it became apparent that people would be stranded on the island and would need shelter. Mattresses were carried down from the fourth floor dorm space. Placing them on the sanctuary floor, we transformed the room into a temporary home for many as they waited for the bus, train and/or vehicle transportation to resume.
A large crowd appeared at our door—young adults and families of all nationalities and faith traditions. Among them was a Kurdish Muslim family, newly arrived in the country. They had traveled by bus from the JFK Airport to the Port Authority to meet their sponsors. They were stranded. One of our members saw them on the street and invited them to come to Metro for shelter. One of the most fearful was a French-speaking Muslim student from Morocco. Tony, a CBF Global Service Corp appointee turned volunteer, together with Jean, a French-speaking Metro member, assured the young man he would be both safe and welcome. Pastor David thoughtfully established a space for Muslim visitors to pray. Other foreign travelers included a group of Conservative Jewish students who had just arrived from a kibbutz in Israel. All were made to feel welcome.
Metro Baptist members represented the presence of Christ in so many ways during the hours and days after the attack—taking shifts to keep the temporary shelter open, manning the doors, cooking meals, researching available transportation options for those needing to continue their interrupted travels.
Members gave willingly and tirelessly for days, weeks and months following 9/11. However, Metro is a small congregation. The support CBF immediately offered was vital to continuing to meet the many needs precipitated by the attacks. CBF sent emergency funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of the displaced and sought input on how the Fellowship might best provide further assistance. Through another partnering church, Greater Restoration in Brooklyn, and its connection with the Black Firemen’s Union, funds were sent toassist with emergency needs in that area of the city.
Former Metro member Bob Freeman arrived from Atlanta, sent by CBF to help assess needs and determine how Cooperative Baptist volunteers might be most useful. I will be forever grateful for his presence and assistance during those tumultuous days. Within days of Bob’s arrival, CBF sent crisis counselors to support New Yorkers in coping with the overwhelming loss, confusion and grief.
A few weeks later, David and Shirley Hall of Elon, North Carolina, made their way to New York City to coordinate the work of CBF volunteers. A partnership with Safe Horizon, a victim services agency, was established from which volunteers signed up for shifts at the massive Family Assistance Center established by the city on Pier 94, about a mile from Metro. Assistance was provided for the constant stream of people trying to navigate the process of obtaining emergency funds for housing, food and medical expenses.
Volunteers also worked at the center set up by the Tepeyac Association, an agency focused on assisting undocumented and underserved individuals who worked in the food courts, food trucks and souvenir stands in the World Trade Center (Ground Zero). Partnering with the Lower Eastside Coalition, volunteers cleaned apartments near Ground Zero, helping families who were impacted by the blast but not eligible for federal cleanup funds.
The stream of volunteers from CBF churches continued for months. Metro members also continued to volunteer and to offer the church’s dorm space to house multitudes of volunteers. CBF emergency funds continued to support efforts to aid New York residents as they sought to function and recover—financially, emotionally and spiritually.
Then, as it does today, CBF sought to provide an active presence of Christ for a world in need. This was never demonstrated more beautifully than in the days following 9/11—a day that was meant to bring down and destroy, but instead brought people from all parts of the nation together, building relationships of love and support. Through the darkness of smoke and ashes, the love of God’s people shone.
I will always be thankful for the hundreds of CBF volunteers who helped restore and lift up through their prayers, financial support and volunteer efforts.
Ronnie Adams served as one of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s field personnel in New York City from 1995 to 2017. He worked with Metro Baptist Church in Manhattan and Greater Restoration Baptist Church in Brooklyn, serving the HIV/AIDS community as well as leading Bible studies and providing pastoral care.