We were minutes from losing the sanctuary and everything. Fellowship hall, kitchen, storage, classrooms suffered structural damage. Four of six pianos, the sanctuary organ and PA system were ruined by chemicals in soot and smoke. Only the office area and the preschool side escaped smoke damage. During and after the fire, shocked members gathered in the parking lot but there were no tears.
People really have a good grip on what's important.
The church isn't a building, it's a people. People were willing to dive right in. In the parking lot as he and Erickson watched the fire department work, member Ken Elfstrum, a Tupperware distributor, offered his warehouse space for classrooms and worship. By morning basic church functions were organized to continue, never missing a beat. Immediately, groups began to make decisions for rebuilding.