Michigan Church Destroyed By Lightning Vows to Rebuild

A congregation in Roseville, Michigan is vowing to rebuild its church after it was destroyed by a recent lightning storm.

Members of the New Life Church of God in Christ, a 94-year-old building located on Blair Street, have said that they trust God will help them rebuild their place of worship that was struck by lightning on Sunday and was subsequently destroyed in a two-alarm fire. The church's roof has reportedly been burned beyond repair, and the interior has been badly charred.

The church's pastor, Darrell Moore, told The Macomb Daily that "All I know is I was told lightning hit the steeple of the church and that ignited a fire." Local residents reported seeing smoke rising from the church's roof and firefighters were diverted from other projects to tend to the growing fire.

Despite the pastor's surprise at the sudden fire, Moore told The Detroit News that he has faith in the rebuilding of the church. "We had a lot of things planned to do for the community," he told the media outlet on Monday, adding "That's all on hold for now."

"We will get through this," he continued. "God didn't bring me this far just to leave me like this. I trust him."

Along with the church fire, Sunday's severe lightning and thunderstorms that raged through Michigan's southeast also downed the power for 16,000 homes and businesses.

Reflecting on finding his church in ashes, Moore told The Detroit News: "I got here and found out I really didn't have a church any more."

"We'll get through this and we'll come out better."