Arkansas church destroyed in fire

A church in Poyen, Ark. was destroyed by fire on the night of May 24.

Members of the Poyen Missionary Baptist Church, which was founded in 1889, now find themselves with no place for meetings and activities as their old building was engulfed in flames. Many of them are saddened by what happened.

"It just kind of hurt. I was just really sad, there was nothing we could do. Satan was trying to win but Jesus is a lot stronger so I just got to keep the faith," 12-year old church member Nate Simmons said, according to TVH 11.

Youth pastor James Green described the scenario when he rushed to the building after the pastor called him to say that the church was on fire. He said there was fire all over, coming out of the windows and even the back door. They couldn't do anything.

"The smoke was so bad we had to go sit down because we were coughing. It was just too bad, there was nothing you could do," he said, according to the same report.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Although the fire devastated the church members, it has become a blessing in some way. The leaders of the church said they have outgrown the old building, and they have actually been raising funds for a new building months before the fire happened.

Green said that the destruction of the old facility is a "minor setback to a major comeback." He said they may not understand why God allowed it to happen, but God has a purpose for everything. "We will move forward," Green said.

County music artist Justin Moore, who attends Poyen Missionary Baptist Church, said he will help in the church's rebuilding efforts, KATV reported said.

The church's around 200 members said they will go on with their plans despite having no place for gatherings. 

A 15-year-old youth group member emphasized that only the building was destroyed, not the real church, which is the people. "No matter what, we're still going to have church, even if it's in the parking lot," Kaitlyn Roberson said, THV 11 reported.

The church announced through its Facebook page that the Sunday worship service will be held temporarily at the high school student union "until further notice." Sunday school will not be available.