GREENSBORO, N.C. — Painful memories of a destructive EF-2 tornado are still fresh on the minds of many in east Greensboro.
The tornado touched down in Greensboro on April 15, 2018, and was on the ground for more than 30 miles with max wind speeds of 135 mph.
Good News Baptist Church on McConnell Road was one of many churches damaged by the tornado's destructive winds.
After five long years of hiccups and slowdowns, contractors are finally able to make some progress.
The Church -- located on McConnell Road was one of many that were damaged or destroyed.
"It doesn't seem like it's been five years, but I will tell you it has been a journey," said Pastor Sherlock Bynum.
Nearly five years later, repairs on the church are starting to take shape.
Good News Baptist Church was not the only church damaged by the tornado.
Across town, Max Life Church and The Refuge Church also faced months of repairs.
"We're just trying to be patient. We were forced to be patient in a sense in a situation where you couldn't change anything," said Bynum.
Since the storm, services have either been held virtually or at the Piedmont Baptist Association.
However, Pastor Bynum will tell you, there's no place like home.
"We're small but we're focused and we're just going to stay on the journey. We're going to let the Lord open and close doors, we're not going to try and fix things," said Bynum.
Work just recently began to get this church put back together.
The good news for the Good News Baptist church family, if everything remains on schedule, they will be able to celebrate Christmas inside their newly remodeled church.