August 6, 2001

Fire causes $100,000 damage to Iglesia La Luz
___By John Hall
___Staff Writer
___ARLINGTON--A July 28 fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damages to Iglesia Bautista La Luz.
___The blaze, which started about 1:30 a.m., damaged the roof and caused a large amount of smoke damage to the education building of Woodland West Baptist Church, which the Hispanic congregation rented to house its activities. The building contained the church's nursery as well as its children's education activities.
___The building was insured and will be rebuilt, said Carlos Cruz, pastor of Iglesia Bautista La Luz.
___Arlington Assistant Fire Marshall Stephen Lea said an investigation revealed the cause of the fire to be arson. He said investigators have linked the church fire to two others early that morning.
___All three fires started in a similar manner, he said. A van caught fire before the church fire, and another van caught fire shortly after the church did, he said.
___Investigators are in the process of gathering evidence.
___Iglesia Bautista La Luz members worshipped as scheduled the next morning, and Cruz said the congregation grew spiritually because of this incident.
___"Our congregation was strengthened by the fire," he said. "Perhaps it was meant for bad, but God has used it to strengthen our faith. The congregation is more determined than ever to continue in its God-given mission."
___In times like this, Cruz said, he remembers Genesis 50:20, which reads, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

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