President Obama attended a memorial service in Texas for the 14 people killed in the explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West. The president praised the strength of the small community, and he quoted a local pastor whose congregation worshiped outside after its church was destroyed in the blast. “What happened Wednesday was awful,” he told them.

President Obama: “But God is bigger than all of this. God is bigger than all of this, and he is here with you in West. He is bigger than all of this, and he is here with you.”

Relief groups are helping with the massive recovery. The Southern Baptist Convention is providing assistance. Several chaplains were deployed to offer spiritual counseling.