Memorial Baptist Homecoming

By: Arthur Mondale/Eyewitness News 9 | WNCT
Published: January 13, 2008

It's been exactly one year since an arsonist set two Greenville churches on fire and broke into a third.
The Memorial Baptist Church suffered the most damages the night of the fire. But the last renovation needed was the sanctuary at the Memorial Baptist Church. Final touches came earlier this week.
It was a homecoming service indeed for members of the Memorial Baptist Church. But while this service marked a new beginning, it also marked a part of history.
"I believe that not only have we experienced as a congregation as far as rebuilding a physical structure that god has used this event to begin some renewal within ourselves, said Randy McKinney, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church.
One year ago to date the church was a chaotic scene of smoke and fire engines.
A year later the start of new beginnings. With many new faces lined up to the door.
’”Well we learned that the church is not just a building, said McKinney. “That it is as body a group of believers, that even though we were not able to meet at a physical location in the church,
[we] survived and thrived in the midst of difficulty."
Even while the church was under-going heavy repairs. Today the congregation worshipped for the first time in their sanctuary. Moving forward and making what pastor McKinney calls history.
Honoring those within the region who met them in a time of need.
“We're all a part of history, we will remember January 13th, not only as the day the church caught on fire, but as the day we were able to get back in our sanctuary and worship god and hopefully celebrate January 13th throughout the history,” said McKinney.
The mornings message echoed through the service. One of maturity, rebuilding--and lessons learned.
Even with feelings of bitterness and resentment against a man now serving 11-years behind bars.
“Well sure I think that's a normal, natural human reaction while there's sadness, there's also some anger and some bitterness towards the one that caused this to happen,” said McKinney.
A lesson learned that some in this congregation may need more time to deal with.