Community lifts up prayers for Noah Chamberlin

January 20, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY, Tenn. — Although civilian volunteers weren’t used Wednesday night to help search for little Noah Chamberlin, the community came together in a different way to keep faith and Noah’s story alive.

Hundreds of West Tennesseans packed into Chester County High School joining together for the first time as a community in prayer. Although we still don’t have much new information on the search for Noah, organizers said the vigil served as a sign of hope that he’ll be found soon.

“I think it’s something that everyone can identify with,” Ryan Maleca said. “Whether you have a child or not, it’s the most precious thing you have and that God’s blessed us with.”

Missing since last Thursday, Noah’s story has touched this small West Tennessee community and beyond.

“It’s hard to leave or get it off your mind,” volunteer Mason Connor said. “Just a little kid like that, lost out there in the woods helpless.”

Law enforcement said they have found some signs of Noah in the woods where he disappeared. But with him not yet back home, the community is keeping their faith alive.

“We’ve been praying individually and separately,” Pastor Ronnie Gary said. “But there is really some power with more people coming together like this.”

The man who’s used the word “faith” more than anyone during this search, Chester County Sheriff Blair Weaver, got a standing ovation as he entered the room. He and his fellow officers have worked day and night to bring Noah home.

“I know the burdens that they’re carrying to want to help this family, to solve this situation that’s at hand,” Pastor Gary said.

With volunteers being called off from the search effort, they say it’s not discouraging but that they just have to help find Noah in other ways.

“No one is going to divide over that,” Maleca said. “Whether it be bringing food or coming out in prayer, there’s something everyone can do.”

The vigil was organized by First Baptist Church, but churches from across Chester County joined together to support Noah and his family.