An arsonist attacked First Baptist Church Montgomery in the overnight hours of Sept. 29–30, causing extensive damage throughout the campus.
Fires were set in several areas of the church building, according to a Facebook post by pastor Mark Bethea, including the sanctuary and the church’s historic Stakely sanctuary.
“First responders arrived quickly and minimized what could have been a catastrophic event,” Bethea said.
Several pews were destroyed and carpet burned in the main sanctuary, and the church’s reception office was completely destroyed, Bethea said. Carpet in the Stakely sanctuary was damaged, and smoke and soot spread throughout the buildings.
“There is an active investigation currently into who would have done this, and I encourage you to pray for this person who would seek to damage what the Lord has done for 192 years in the heart of downtown Montgomery,” Bethea said.
God will use ‘for good’
On Sept. 30, a crowd gathered outside the church in a show of support. Bethea said he was “so encouraged to see and pray with my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord after a grueling day.”
In a statement on Oct 1, Bethea said FBC Montgomery will have a single worship service on Sunday, Oct. 3 and take the Lord’s Supper in the Perry Street parking lot near the church at 8:30 a.m. in keeping with earlier plans to observe World Communion Sunday. The service will be livestreamed at the church’s website and on social media he said.
No indoor activities will be held at the church, but Bethea said he was encouraging small groups to meet in homes, parks or via Zoom if possible.
As cleanup and repair continues, Bethea said the church will have a better idea next week of when programs and services can return to the campus.
“While the damage was mitigated, smoke and soot damage was heavy,” he wrote. Cleanup is going well he said, “but this will be a process that will require patience and flexibility.”
Gospel goes forward
The damage will not stop the gospel going forward, however, Bethea emphasized.
In his post announcing the fire, Bethea asked members and friends to “recall our Scripture memory verse that we have spoken and memorized alongside one another each time we gather: ‘For God has given us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control'” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“You are loved, prayed for and so deeply appreciated,” he wrote. “God is good. All the time.”
In his update on Sunday morning plans, Bethea wrote: What man meant for evil, God is currently using and will use for good. I believe that with every fiber of my soul.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was updated Oct. 2 to include information about plans for worship services on Oct. 3 and cleanup efforts at FBC Montgomery.
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