MORGANTON, NC (WBTV) - A church in North Carolina is counting its blessings after a mystery man saved the day.
In fact, a bank was ready to take over Grandview Baptist Church earlier this week after the church fell on hard times.
WBTV’s Sharon Smith said it all started one day when stranger pulled up in a pickup truck and promptly put an end to the foreclosure.
Pastor John Whisnant Jr. said he had the worst day, and the best day, all rolled into one last Wednesday.
That’s when Grandview Baptist Church was about to be taken by the bank.
Grandview is a family church, where weddings are celebrated, loved ones are mourned, that is a second home to many, including the pastor's father.
"It's one of the worst things that I've ever experienced," said John Whisnant Sr.
After a lot of praying, crying and last-minute efforts, the deadline had arrived.
And then something remarkable happened. A stranger, a new man in the town, stopped by the church.
"I never met him before," said Pastor Whisnant, who said he couldn't believe what happened next.
"Long story short, he basically said, 'What will it take to get the Bank of Granite off your back?'” said Whisnant. “And I told him and he said, 'Well, I'm going to take care of that for you.'"
The man gave a $345,000 gift -- with no strings attached. Church members said it was a true miracle.
"It's like if he'd have been ten minutes early leaving or late, or he'd been ten minutes later, we might not have heard from him again," said Whisnant Sr.
Members of the church have unpacked everything that had been packed up. Pastor Whisnant put his office back together. The piano, the podium and other things are all back in place. Folks said it feels good.
"The Bible says to whom much is given much is required,” said Pastor Whisnant. “We are chomping at the bit to see what God has for us. We're going to serve to the best of our ability."
