Benefit Raises $62K for Flooded Nashville Church

El Shaddai Christian Church, a small but growing Hispanic congregation in South Nashville, was devastated by recent flooding the area, as six feet of water poured into the church on May 2. A handful of local Christian musicians came to their aid earlier this week with a benefit concert that raised almost $62,000 for the church.

Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram hosted their third annual "Love Your Neighbor" benefit concert, which also featured performances from tobyMac, Mike Donehy of Tenth Avenue North, Britt Nicole, and a surprise appearance from Amy Grant. Heath said the event, held at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, "felt like a big family piled into the living room to share songs, stories, and all that we have. I'm immensely grateful for the generosity of Nashville, and those watching online. Above all, God was glorified and out neighbors were loved."

Pastor German Castro of El Shaddai Church, who was rescued from the building as the flood waters rose, said, "We've experienced an outpouring of God's grace through the love of the body of Christ. . . . You were his hands and feet, you saw us through his eyes, and cared enough to know that we could not build up again alone."

See a brief video, featuring Heath, Ingram, and Castro, describing the situation below. Donations are still being accepted for El Shaddai's rebuilding. Make checks out to El Shaddai Christian Church and mail to El Shaddai Church, c/o Flood Relief, 10604 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027.

Nashville flood relief donations are also being accepted through MusiCares. Jars of Clay is helping the MusiCares effort by giving away five free versions of its hit song "Flood" (including a terrific version by Sara Groves) to anyone who donates $1 to the effort.