Center Point Church in Tallahassee sustained damage on January 17 when a homeless person started a fire on the deck outside the church, and the fire spread into the building. Smoke and flames damaged the floorboards and windows, and the church had water damage from firefighters extinguishing the flames. 

Brian Douglas, Center Point’s pastor, said the damage could have been worse had a police officer not seen the fire and notified the fire department. In an email to his presbytery, Douglas said five or six fire engines and more than 20 firefighters responded to the blaze. 

Tallahassee has experienced historic cold this week, including nearly three inches of snow on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Douglas told byFaith that he and the congregation are not angry with the individual who started the fire. Given the frigid temperatures, Douglas doesn’t blame anyone for needing to get warm. 

“I wish he hadn’t burned our church, but I completely understand wanting to get warm on a cold night,” he said.

While the Center Point is still waiting for the insurance adjuster to survey the damage, nearly a dozen churches, and some local businesses, have offered space to the church for their services as they rebuild. Beginning January 23, the congregation will meet nearby Covenant Presbyterian Church (EPC) for worship services.

The congregation at Center Point has taken the difficult situation in stride, Douglas said. While everyone is horrified by what happened, he said, they are the type of people who “roll up our sleeves and do what’s necessary,” he said.

The church held its worship service outside on January 19, as fans inside the building tried to disperse the strong smell of smoke. As congregants prayed for the church and the road ahead, members remembered to pray for the individual who started the fire.

And churches from around the U.S. and the world have contacted Douglas to offer prayers and messages of encouragement. He said PCA churches from South Florida to the Pacific Northwest have reached out with encouragement, and churches as far away as Istanbul, Turkey, and the Philippines have offered prayers.

“Seeing the church do the church is always an encouragement,” Douglas said. “On Friday I was standing outside the church crying, and today I am watching the Lord show and guide us, and I know it’s gonna be good.”