Jun 23, 2007 9:47 pm US/Central
Saginaw Fire Won't Stop Church Congregation
SAGINAW (CBS 11 News) ―
Ashes, charred rubble and debris litter the area where the Bethesda Baptist Church's sanctuary once stood in Saginaw.
Early Saturday, the pastor received the phone call that his church of more than 30 years at 228 South Belmont St. was severely damaged in an overnight fire.
"You know, some people are very close to their animals … (it's like) having your children just ripped out of your chest. That's the way he feels," the pastor's daughter, Julie Warren said.
Warren spoke for her father, who was too upset.
Also the church pianist, she says the congregation can survive with her father's determination.
"He really loves what he does. He's had many opportunities to retire and he won't do it. This is what he's called to do."
Warren added what makes this fire even more troubling is that contractors had nearly completed repairing the church's roof.
"We had some damage from all the rain in the sanctuary, on the roof and we had just gotten done with the insurance and got the roof 95 percent," she explained.
The fire won't stop members worshiping Sunday morning. The will gather at the Saginaw Recreation Center.
"In the meantime, we're just gonna pray about it and let god take care of it, we know that he's able."
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