'The church has left the building': Mannford churches help city after wildfires
Mar 16, 2025
After March 14s wildfires in Mannford, local churches are banding together to meet the needs of the community.2 News Oklahomas Douglas Braff learned how one of those churches spent its Sunday giving back.This is the church, past
or Scott Larrison told his congregation. The church has left the building.On the first Sunday since the Mannford wildfires, Victory Mannford Church wasnt at its normal location but rather in a parking lot along Highway 51.As for why, Larrison told 2 News, Well, we just wanted to thank God for what he's done. I just look at this situation like this is something that's bigger than we even imagined. Sunday mornings service was filled with singing, praying for the affected families, and telling stories of kindness.Another reason for the location being the parking lot next to Simple Simons is because thats where Victory Church has been gathering clothing, water, food, and other items. The community has donated so much that we can go from helping just the burned-out victims to helping anybody in need, Della Efird told 2 News.Efird started the Blessing Closet about a year and a half ago. Its a community clothing closet providing basic needs for anybody who needs it all for free. Shes been helping provide clothing and other items to the drive. She established the Blessing Closet after her house burnt down in 2022, destroying everything she owned.The community came together, and within 32 days I was back in a trailer, had everything I needed to live, she recalled.When asked what it means to her to see the outpouring of support for those who recently lost their homes, having gone through that herself, Efird replied: It just shows me that this town is amazing, and this community has a heart for every other person in it.Ricky Zaring and his wife Farrel were looking for some jeans at the parking lot, after their home and all the belongings they couldnt grab were turned to ashes on Friday. Everything's gone, said Ricky. Everything I've had for 50 years is gone. Mementos, memories, everything imaginable.The Zarings only moved to Mannford a year ago and three months ago. Ricky told 2 News what he has seen since disaster struck has warmed his heart. We haven't been here this long to this community, he said. But, for the community to accept us as anybody else, means a lot.Theres been a particular line of scripture thats been echoing in Larrisons head the past few days, Ephesians 3:20.It says God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we can ask or imagine, he paraphrased. And those are not just words anymore for me they're a living reality.The Zarings have a GoFundMe set up. At this time, they say anything helps.Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere -- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices. Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram SUBSCRIBE on YouTube ...read more read less