A fisherman whose video of him bracing himself to survive a tornado on his boat has gone viral credits God for his miraculous escape. The man, Brian Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Winnie, Texas, said he and a friend made the reckless decision to fish Saturday believing the approaching storm would bite the bass. . But the storm was much stronger and closer than he expected.
They took a boat to Stanolind Reservoir in Chambers County, Texas.
“I shouldn't be here talking about this. I made a terrible decision,” Johnson told CNN. “All the warnings were there and I didn't listen to them. Yet somehow God helped me. I started to believe that it helped me.”
Video of the incident shows the two desperately trying to escape before the tornado spread and the boat was engulfed by wind and rain. Eventually the boat flips over and the video ends.
The tornado was later confirmed to be an EF-3 twister with winds of 138 mph.
“I'm clinging to the boat, because right now I'm clinging to the boat from below, because the wind is blowing,” Johnson said. KTRK. “And I thought, 'He's going to pull me out of this water any second.'” So I'm trying to hold on, but I can't find Tony, so I'm calling out for Tony, And now I'm thinking, “Oh my god, my friend drowned under this boat or something.'' “So I'm pulling the boat, trying to lift it, screaming at the top of my lungs, I tapped it, but there was nothing. ”
Thankfully, his friend was hiding under the boat. All members of the party survived, including the dog.
Johnson said she believes God saved her life so she could continue to tell others about Jesus.
“This is what I want everyone to know. It is my hope that my experience will give hope to those facing not only extreme weather, but many storms in life,” he said. . church leaders. “I want them to know that Jesus led me through my storms, and that He does the same for everyone who calls His name.”
In the video, Johnson drew parallels to life in general.
Texas Bass Boat vs. EF3 Tornado (160 mph) pic.twitter.com/chIxNN0BB3
— Vintage Outdoors (@VintageOutdoors) January 1, 2025
“I made the wrong decision and found myself in the middle of the storm,” he said. said In video. “Friends, let me tell you something: In life we all make bad decisions sometimes. And in life we all go through storms from time to time. But here I am. Even if it's my fault that you're there, I want God to know. Many of you have been with me in the midst of the storm, many of you are in it, or you may be just coming out of it, or it may be approaching. I want you to know if it's your fault. I can see you through the storm. God loves you so much that He will give you eternal life if you trust Him. ”
Photo courtesy: ©X/vintage outdoor
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
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