ORANGE—Hurricane Rita destroyed Old First Baptist Church’s worship center in 2005, electrical problems started a fire that destroyed the church parsonage in 2007, and on July 18, lightening caused a fire that damaged the church again.

So, why is there a celebration?

Pastor Bailey Harris wore his brightest shirt the Sunday morning after the fire because he sees a bright future for the church.

“God’s going to use this for good,” he said.

“Sunday was just great celebration. It’s just another circumstance, and we can fix it and move forward.”

A lightning strike burned a hole in Old First Baptist Church of Orange’s roof, leading to interior damage as well. Hurricane Rita and an electrical fire also left their marks on the church in the past four years, but Pastor Bailey Harris said the congregation continue to celebrate God’s goodness.

The fire, which caused no injuries, burned a 20-foot by 20-foot hole through the roof. The fire damaged the communion table, offering plates and carpet, and church leaders do not know about damage to walls and woodwork.

Services will be held in the gymnasium for now.

Smoke damage left the office suites, adult classrooms and children’s rooms unusable, but Harris hopes these rooms will be repaired soon. The church is insured, and church leaders will meet with an adjuster soon.

But not everything has been negative. Harris already sees affirming effects from the situation.

A police officer who assisted with the fire asked a church ministry assistant who the people were who came by during the fire, Harris said. The assistant told the officer the people were family, and “We’re here to support each other.”

The officer said he normally does not see something like that.

A couple whose son attends the church and went to the church during the fire visited on Sunday, and they told Harris they “didn’t see what we expected to see from the people. There was a real positive spirit.”

After experiencing damage for the past four years, some wonder why.

“It’s OK to ask why,” Harris said. “We’re asking that question. Not ‘Why me, oh Lord?” But, ‘Is there a message that he’s trying to teach?’ We hope to get it right this time.”

Harris guessed it would take six to nine months for the church to be repaired.

“We’re going to get it built. We’re carrying on,” he said. “It’s not going to stop us.”

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