A Newburgh Church Pushes Forward After Devastating Fire
By: Casie Mason
Updated: November 25, 2012
Despite Saturday morning's tragic fire, the parishioners are staying positive even while their wounds are still fresh. We talked with members of the congregation displaced from their church by the massive fire
Smiles seen through the smoke, songs louder than the crash of walls, and support stronger than the flames. Ashes now lie in place of the River Ridge Church of Christ, but today, reeling from the wounds that are still too fresh, members say they are staying more positive than ever. "Where is the gloom and doom? You see the smiles on their faces. We are just happy to be together. That's just stuff. You can replace chairs, and a projector, and a laptop, and all that kind of stuff," says Pastor Chuck Bartlett.
He says its not the building that makes the congregation but the people; people who are showing their strength in the face of tragedy. "We just have to find a new place to worship at."
This couple opened their home this Sunday to members of the church. I learned today they were one of many offering their space to allow the Sunday sermon to go on. "We just said we have a centralized location, and we would love to have the opportunity to have services in our home if that's what we need to do," say Aaron and Chanelle Collins. So the praise, the songs, and the message went on.
"So we have to find another place to attend. If that's the worst thing that happens in any of our lives is that we have to find another building to worship in, then life is good," says Collins. "Even if we had a multi-million dollar building, we want to go to Heaven. Its not about the stuff. We're doing ok. We're happy. "
Though they don't have a building to worship in, River Ridge Church of Christ continues to encourage people to join their services. They no longer have an address for mail, but their website is up and running.


