[jbug]

Late last night or early early this morning their sanctuary caught fire. They think the heater in the baptistry overheated and caused the fire. From what I understand the church is pretty much a total loss. This church was helped founded by my Grandparents and my mom, and 2 Aunts went there as children. My parents were the first people to be married in the church. The name of the church is Bluestem Baptist Church in Dewey Oklahoma.

I don't know if you remember a few years ago on Extreme Makeover Home Edition they did a home for a woman who's husband was a pastor who died of a sudden heart attack on their anniversary and they built her a beautiful home with a chapel in it. Well that is the church that he pastored before he pasted away.

It was a small church only about 150 on an average Sunday but they were growing and talking about having to build a bigger church on a lot not far from them.

But pray that they are able to make the neccessary decisions in a proper manner.

Jan

((jbugs aunt)))))))))))))))))))))))) my prayers are with them all and you

[Hunny]

jbug

This must be very sad for you too, with lots of family history passing through there.

Sounds like the congregation will withstand this devastating blow because of the good foundation of some of your family members but I pray for the courage and strength to go through the shock and rebuild and comfort for you.

IS

[(JD)]

I'm glad nobody was hurt. You know, God often uses adversity to create new beginnings. I hope this is what He will do for them.

[jbug]

Luckily the gymnasium wasn't damaged so they met there today to have their service.

They found out instead of the heater in the baptistry like they thought it was lightning striking the church. It hit right around the baptistry area and fire twisted one of the beams around that area which is how they found that out.

http://www.kjrh.com/content/news/2vi...w4u8TY4oQ.cspx

Here is a link to a news story about the fire. Dewey is about 30 minutes north of Tulsa. It is a tiny town just outside Bartlesville.

Jan

[jbug]

I spoke with my Aunt tonight and she told me a few things that just send shivers down my spine when she told me.

They had this really pretty cross made out of some wood that someone had brought back with them from a mission trip and someone had carved the cross for them. It had just been hung on some marble in the baptistry. Well the marble all around the cross was cracked and broken but the cross was untouched and it is now hanging in the gymnasium.

Also hanging above the baptistry they had this beautiful stained glass window that a member had painted for them way back when and all the other windows in the church were blown out but this window was untouched. So it will be able to be put into the new church.

Aunt Debbie also said that they were wanting to build a new church but due to the fact that they are such a small church they weren't able to do so now they can. Their pastor used to tour with Billy Graham so he lots of contacts to be able to get them the help they need to be able to start the rebuild process as soon as this building is destroyed.

Jan