Fire Destroys South Georgia Church
Douglas, Ga.—A fire that erupted during Wednesday night services completely destroyed the Douglas Christian Fellowship Church of God in Douglas, Ga.
According to Senior Pastor Heath Wingard, more than 30 people were in the church at the time of the blaze, but all made it out safely after they were alerted to the fire by rangers from a State Forestry Commission office across the street. The church was a total loss.
The sanctuary lies in ruins the morning after the fire (click photo to enlarge)
Cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but initial reports point to explosion of a propane tank that fully engulfed the sanctuary and adjoining educational wing within 10 minutes. Several agencies and multiple volunteer units responded to the blaze. Crews remained on the site throughout the night dousing hot spots, which could still be seen smoldering in the background as fellow Church of God pastors gathered in front of the destroyed church the next morning for prayer.
Pastor Wingard told television affiliate WALB News 10, “I feel the initial shock of it last night was a little overwhelming but now that I had time to sit back and assess things, I just trust that God’s got a plan and that our best days are ahead of us and not behind us.”
Posts on the South Georgia Church of God Facebook page show the devastation and includes a video that includes local pastors and South Georgia Administrative Bishop Gary Lewis. In the conversation, Pastor Wingard said, “(God) is gonna give us beauty for ashes. We’re going to rise up stronger and we’re going to let this catapult us into something greater and bigger for what God has in store for us.”
The South Georgia Church of God State Office has set up an online giving link at sgacog.org/give for congregations and individuals desiring to help in the church’s recovery. To see more of the media coverage, photos, and videos, visit facebook.com and search “South Georgia Church of God.”
–Cameron Fisher, Church of God Communications
