From ashes to hope: First Christian Church in Nevada, Mo. holds first service after fire

NEVADA, Mo. (KY3) – First Christian Church in Nevada begins a new chapter, holding its first service at a new location after the loss of its historic building in August.

Many living in the Nevada community lost the one place they called home after a blaze burned down the original and historic First Baptist Church.

For many, the fire took away everlasting memories, some that can never be restored.

“We did get to save a few, a few very key items, historic items, how it’s going to work, I don’t know yet,” said First Christian Minister Tim Mcmallin.

Twin sisters Susie Platt and Kathy Butler grew up in the church, from baptism, to marriage, and even sending their mother home.

“It’s hard to put it into words, because several of us got there and watched it burn, and then just thinking of all of our memories.”

Church members and leaders were headed down the path to rebuild what was burned down and thought it would take years to get back what they lost.

“We thought we had two years’ worth of hard work,” said Kathy Butler.

On Sunday, three months later, the church took on a quick recovery. Church leaders got access to their new building on Wednesday and jumped right into action.

Day and night, they moved everything they’d saved from the fire into their new home. With every box, they weren’t just relocating belongings but rather reclaiming hope.

“Jesus died, people thought they had lost him, and yet God raised him in three days. We lost a building in three months. God was faithful, and he took care of us, and that’s a story of redemption.”

Service is expected to continue at its new location each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

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