Chapel burns to the ground; God gives beauty for ashes.

 

As much of our community is already aware, at approximately 3:30 AM Saturday, the Chapel located 2 miles north of the Whitney city limits at the entrance of Country Club Retirement Community was struck by lightning and was burned to the ground. The beautiful Chapel has been home to non-denominational church groups over the years and has served as the venue for weddings and meetings since it was dedicated in June 2009. I've officiated weddings there myself. The building also serves as the headquarters for Ekklesia Healthcare.

 

Though the fire resulted in a total loss, no lives were lost and no one was injured. Owners Michael and Diane Ward, as well as Office Manager Karen Sisson, wish to thank all the Volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel who responded to this early morning blaze. As could be expected, there was a steady stream of curiosity-seekers and picture-takers throughout the day on Saturday. Among them were concerned people who came to pray and express their sorrow to the Wards for the loss of this structure. An Easter Sunday service went on as scheduled on the grounds south of the Chapel, far from a stone wall that officials feared was on the verge of tumbling. The service was very well-attended. 

 

As the Workplace Chaplain for this company, I received a phone call from Diane Ward around noon on Saturday. I couldn't believe my ears! She called requesting prayer and asked if I had time to write this article. After we hung up, I felt compelled to go to the Chapel. A Chaplains' ministry is, after all, a ministry of presence and here I was, 90 minutes away. My wife agreed and, as I changed clothes and shot off a few eMails requesting prayer, she started preparing me a lunch to take with me. On the way to Whitney, I called some more Prayer Warriors to get the intercession going. There's nothing like having a prayer covering from people who really believe God is still concerned about everything concerning us.

 

It was surreal to see the blackened Chapel as I approached, windows broken, roof caved-in, charred furniture and other unrecognizable items outside, wet ashes on the sidewalk and in the grass. Sickening. The building is built with a circular parking lot and there were a few cars circling, taking pictures. I tried to meet and introduce myself to every one, explaining what had happened to some, receiving condolences from others. In every case, I felt led to remind them: "The Church is not the building, it's the people." Most agreed. One man paused a long while, pondering what he'd heard me say, finally agreeing whole-heartedly. A woman I'd said that to, seated in the passenger seat, almost jumped out of her seatbelt with exuberance as she agreed with what I'd said, "Amen! That's right!" she exclaimed.

 

As with all tragedies, Christians believe God gives 'beauty for ashes' and makes something good out of situations where, seemingly, no good can be found. A verse of Scripture often quoted during times of distress is from Romans 8:28. It reads, "All things work together for good to them that love God and have been called according to His purpose." 

 

When the Diane and Michael Ward arrived - freshly showered and too emotionally-charged to be feeling the effects of a sleepless night - we embraced and, after some conversation, held hands and prayed. The Wards, the firefighters - everyone who was involved at the scene that morning - were amazed at several items in the charred building that were not burned or water damaged. Among these items, a cross hanging on the front of the wooden pulpit was unharmed. In fact, though the cross did fall off, it left a beautiful imprint on the front of the pulpit, which was smoke-tinted but unharmed. I helped Michael Ward move this pulpit to just outside the front door as a testament to God's faithfulness. There were several books inside the pulpit as well. Though a hymnal there was charred and ruined, several Bibles also stacked there remained unharmed. The most significant story - one that even impressed the firefighters - was the fact the steeple didn't fall, nor was it incinerated. Diane Ward exclaimed, "The cross is still standing!"

 

The Wards believe they are to re-build the Chapel and want to encourage others who may have found themselves staring into a black abyss as a result of a personal tragedy not to let their own disaster harden their hearts. They're right; we don't belong here and shouldn't attempt to get comfortable during our brief stay. To anyone enduring any kind of emotional or physical struggle, the Wards encourage you to use this opportunity to press into a relationship with the Lord and not run FROM Him. 

 

Jesus is real. Easter is how we celebrate the fact He is alive. Get to know Him and let Him shine light into your darkness.

 

God is more concerned with the development of our character than comfort, it appears. He will not give us any more to handle than we can bear and seems to always provide a way of escape.

 

Though Easter is over, we can celebrate the resurrection of our Lord every day, without the chocolate Easter bunnies and marshmallow Peeps, of course.

 

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Workplace Chaplain

Founder, The Church @ Work