JEMISON, Ala. – Providence Baptist Church, a church nearly destroyed by arson is getting much needed help this week from folks they barely know.
In January, the main building of Providence Baptist Church, which is located on County Road 46, was destroyed by fire. A few weeks later, Chilton County officials arrested two men and charged them with arson, theft and burglary.
If one were to drive by the church site today, you would see a different scene from the once burned beams and ashes that covered the football field size lot.
One hundred volunteers from 33 different churches have taken time out of their summer schedules to help rebuild Providence.
At any moment, one can see helpers driving nails into wood, carrying heavy loads or sizing beams into place. For church members like Sam Tate, watching and working with the volunteers moves him at times. He believes that everything happens for a reason.
“The bigger message is even things that were meant for bad can be turned into good things. I mean look at all the wonderful people here helping us. They don’t know us. Some are even visiting from other states but look they are here doing all this work,” Tate said.
From working on the building’s framing to electrical work, the goal is to rebuild the church’s sanctuary, nursery and classrooms. The work is labor-intensive and the estimated cost for the work being done by the volunteers ranges between $40,000 and $50,000, but because the workers with Carpenters for Christ consider this project mission work, their services on this project are being offered for free.
“This is a blessing in disguise, they are going to get a newer facility and larger facility that they can reach out into the community and just grow and grow,” Carpenters For Christ Project Coordinator Scott Kirk said.
Reaching out to others in the community is what members say they intend to do. As for the men accused of burning the church, church members say they forgive the men for their actions.
“What intended for bad has turned into such a good thing,” Sam Tate said.
Church members hope to have the new building completed by Thanksgiving.
As for the men accused of the crime, Brain Henry and Billy Ray are charged with arson, theft and burglary. They were released from jail earlier this year. The two men are scheduled to face a grand jury for the crime in September.
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