A devastating fire may have damaged portions of a Michigan church, but its congregation isn’t allowing the destruction to keep them from gathering together.
As Charisma previously reported, the Byron Center Bible Church in Byron Center, Michigan, suffered extensive damage after a fire broke out early Monday morning, just hours after Pastor Chad Dejong had led Sunday services at the church.
According to FOX 17, a passerby reported the fire at 3:41 a.m. while storms were moving through the area. Dejong learned what was happening less than an hour later when one of the church’s deacons called him.
“I learned about it at about 4:30 this morning,” Dejong told FOX 17.
The damage left church leaders facing difficult questions about how much of the building could be saved.
Byron Township Fire Chief Eric Wierenga told FOX 17 that officials initially feared part of the sanctuary would need to be demolished. Ultimately, crews were able to preserve that portion of the building, while the gymnasium and classroom section had to be torn down.
For the congregation, however, the destruction is not bringing their worship to an end.
Despite the damage, Dejong said the church plans to gather again this coming Sunday morning. Instead of meeting inside the building as usual, members will worship outdoors on the property.
“We’ll be here on the hill on the west side,” Dejong told FOX 17. “God is good, and he will use it for his glory, and we want to be here for the ride.”
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It is a simple decision carrying a powerful reminder: A church is far more than the structure where believers meet.
Buildings can be damaged. Familiar surroundings can disappear overnight. Plans can change in a matter of hours. Yet throughout Scripture, God’s people worshiped Him in temples, homes, prisons and the wilderness. The location changed, but the call to seek God remained.
Now, Byron Center Bible Church is preparing to live out that reality.
The church still faces the practical realities of recovering from a major fire. But worship is continuing. Fire can destroy classrooms. It can tear through a gymnasium. It can force a congregation outside.
But it cannot destroy the faith of believers determined to keep worshiping God through the fire.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
